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Should You Talk to Police During a Sex Crime Investigation?

Posted by Ronald D. Hedding | Jul 30, 2020

Don't Make Any Statements to the Police! I think the answer to this question is pretty obvious, and it's no.  You definitely should not talk to the police.  There are certain circumstances that I would call exceptions to this rule.

However, they're something that your sex crime defense attorney will want to explore for you and help you decide about not speaking to the police or speaking to the police.

I can't tell you all the circumstances when you want to speak to the police or not in general, but what I can tell you is that the golden rule in sex crime defense is you do not speak to the police at all.  It's much too dangerous for you to talk to the police because you could do or say something that incriminates you, even if you're innocent.

Isn't it alarming that you could be innocent of a sex crime, speak to the police, and inadvertently provide them with ammunition to use against you?  This unfortunate reality is often due to the police misinterpreting what a particular defendant tells them.

I've even seen it borne out in a situation where the police interpreter—let's say the client is a Spanish speaker—indicates that the person said something in a certain way, and it's utterly false information.

Therefore, it's always advisable to consult a seasoned criminal defense attorney before deciding whether or not to speak to the police. Their guidance can be invaluable in such a critical situation.

It's crucial to understand that incriminating statements can be incredibly powerful evidence in a criminal case, particularly in sex crime cases.

I've been doing this for a long time—26 years—and I can tell you right now that most of the time, people's statements to the police end up being the most potent evidence used against them.

Either to force a resolution of the case because they realize they've got to make a deal, or when they go to trial, it's being used in the attempt to prove that they're guilty.

I've had cases where the information was so powerful that the prosecutor took a videotape and subtitled it so that the jury could understand it because my client is a Spanish speaker, and the confession was made in Spanish.

Often, the person makes a statement, and they don't perceive that whatever they said was incriminating. What they don't realize is that the police and prosecutors have specific evidence that contradicts what they said. They're smart enough to break it down.

They're going to take the statement and then take the evidence they have, and they're going to show the jury — look, they gave this statement, but look at the evidence that we have that indicates that that statement is not valid,

Then, if it's not true about something that is an essential factor or significant thing, that puts a defendant in a terrible position because it makes them look like they're not credible.

It makes them look like they're not telling the truth about what happened. If you end up testifying in the cases, the prosecutor can effectively show the jury through questions that you've lied about something.

Then, depending on your reaction to this purported lie, it puts you in the wrong position — a position where you're not believable. If you're not conceivable in a criminal case, that is fatal to your defense.

So, never talk to the police.  It's at the top of the list of things to avoid in a California sex crime case. Always run everything through your sex crime criminal defense attorney.  I've handled thousands of these cases.  I know how to defend you.  I know what it's going to take to get a successful result.

So, if you need help and the police are trying to talk to you, or you think the police will come and speak to you, pick up the phone.  Make the call.  I stand at the ready to help you.

About the Author

Ronald D. Hedding

What Makes Ronald Hedding Uniquely Qualified To Represent You? I've been practicing criminal defense for almost 30 years and have handled thousands of cases, including all types of state and federal sex crime cases. All consultations are discreet and confidential.

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Hedding Law Firm is committed to answering your questions about state or federal sex crime issues in California and throughout the United States.

I'll privately discuss your case with you at your convenience. All consultations are free, discreet, and confidential. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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