england-and-wales
If one gives a witness statement and incriminates oneself in the process, will that incrimination be used against you?
<p>When giving a witness statement, if you incriminate yourself in the process will that be used against you?</p>

<p>For example an article I read recently reported a burglar who discovered a stash of illegal images of children. He then alerts the police and gives a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Can</strong> it be used against you?</p>

<p>Yes</p>

<p><strong>Will</strong> it be used against you?</p>

<p>That depends on the discretion of the police/prosecutor. If they exercise their discretion to prosecute then they can and will use it as evidence; if they don't prosecute then clearly they wont use it.</p>

<p>The circumstances of your disclosure might mitigate any sentence you receive but it is admissible evidence (if it was legally collected of course).</p>
