This is a big question on many people's minds who find out the police are investigating them; the FBI, or whatever law enforcement agency is involved with their case.
A lot of times, the reason they get tipped off pre-filing is that the alleged victim in the case calls them, texts them, accuses them of some sexual assault or sexual behavior, or even at the time that they have an encounter with that person, they're charged with some sort of sexual assault.
They understand the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate legal counsel. This realization often brings a sense of relief professionals are now in charge, and they are not alone in this legal battle.
Another way they find out is because somebody posts something on the internet. I'm seeing that a lot lately where someone's accusing somebody of some sexual assault-like behavior, and they post it on the internet.
Upon learning about the situation, they realize the importance of early legal intervention. This proactive approach can significantly impact the outcome of their case, giving them a sense of control in a challenging situation.
One of the key roles of a criminal defense attorney is to negotiate with the police and prosecutors to avoid the formal filing of charges. This can involve presenting evidence or arguments that may persuade them not to proceed with the case.
So, the answer to why you hire a criminal defense attorney to defend you if you're being looked at or investigated for a sex crime has several different tentacles to it.
First and foremost, you're in serious trouble, and you need someone who can support you, knows what to do, and knows what arguments to make. This legal representation empowers you, giving you a fighting chance in a complex legal battle.
You need a lawyer who knows how to deal with the police and advise you, and I'm going to tell you one of the first pieces of advice is not to talk to the police. Instead, let them do the talking for you and act as a buffer between you and the police.
Another reason I would get a criminal defense sex crime attorney—especially if your case is in Los Angeles—is that your defense attorney can do some investigation before the claim is filed.
Often, I've been able to investigate and lock in witnesses and lock in defense before the case is ever filed. Another thing that I'm able to do sometimes, depending on the circumstances of the matter, is to convince the police and prosecutors that you shouldn't be charged with a sex crime in the first place.
This is because we do the work and then provide the information to show them that the alleged victim is not telling the truth. Thus, more facts can be uncovered.
Avoid Making Incriminating Statements
One of the most crucial reasons to hire a sex crime criminal defense attorney, especially in Los Angeles, is to ensure you don't do or say anything that could incriminate you. It's essential to have a legal advisor who can guide you on what to say and what not to say during the investigation.
I can't tell you how often people get attacked by the police and prosecutors, which triggers them to do or say something that ends up being the best evidence against them in a criminal case.
One of the biggest weapons the police have is a search warrant. When they decide to arrest a person, they often get a search warrant. If they're looking for something that might help corroborate their case, the most significant thing they're trying to do is scare the person to death so they will make some statement they can later use to incriminate them.
When the police decide to arrest a person, they often use a confrontational approach. They will present the facts of the case and engage the suspect in a discussion about their behavior. This can be intimidating, especially for those who have never been in such a situation before.
They don't have an attorney who has advised them properly. They do or say something that incriminates them, or people will start shutting accounts down; they will start trying to hide evidence, and that in and of itself is evidence that that person committed the sex crime.
Why are you out hiding evidence if you've got nothing to hide? Why are you hiding evidence in a sex crime case in Los Angeles if you didn't do anything wrong? That's what the prosecutors will argue to a potential jury in the case.
So, if you're smart, your best bet is to hire a criminal defense attorney right away and let that attorney do the job necessary to get you the result you want.