- Many people who go to court are very tired and anxious.
- Sleep loss can make memory and judgment worse.
- Police often interview people late at night or after waits.
- Tired people may speak less clearly in police interviews.
- Extreme tiredness can cause confusion and doubt.
- Confused people may agree with wrong information.
- This can lead to false confessions or mistakes.
- Courts should record when and how long interviews lasted.
Difficult words
- anxious — Feeling nervous or worried about something.
- memory — Ability to keep and remember information.
- judgment — Ability to make a good or fair decision.
- interview — A formal talk where someone asks questions.interviews
- confusion — A state of being unclear or mixed up.
- false confession — A statement admitting guilt that is not true.false confessions
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever been very tired before an important event?
- Do you think interviews should be recorded?
- Do you find it hard to remember things when you are tired?
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