[oh_teh_meows]

This might be a contentious question, but how did it come to this in US (likely not the only country suffering from problems with law enforcers), i.e best course of action would be to not talk to the police? I imagine if I were in say, Japan, I wouldn't have to worry about cops having it out for me (especially if I'm innocent).

[gozur88]

The reason you don't talk to cops in the US or Canada (and some other countries, I assume) is by law your refusal isn't taken as an indication of guilt. So you have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

Police interrogations aren't like normal conversations. Even if you're innocent, if you misspeak it goes on the record the way you said it. Think about how many times you've been in a normal conversation and had to go back and clarify something you just said. Your friends are going to give you the benefit of the doubt; a prosecutor can use that kind of thing to make it look like you're changing your story.

There are countries in which your refusal to answer questions can be a factor in determining your guilt at a later trial, so you have to answer questions. But that's not a good thing.

[valuearb]

You are naive if you assume police in any country have your best interests at heart. An individual cop might, but in general they are rewarded for catching criminals, not necessarily in cash but in promotions, awards, and perceived job performance with their superiors.

It’s not just the US, more laws get passed everywhere making more individual behavior illegal. It’s just too easy to catch you on something.