Being arrested for a sex crime is one of the scariest things that could happen to you!
Being accused of a sex crime has to be one of the most awful feelings a person can experience. This is especially so if the allegations are untrue, or are based on information that’s been twisted and warped to look like something else entirely. The natural response is to rush to your own defense and try to convince everyone you’re not guilty. Wrong move! This is actually the worst thing you could do! Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? Based on our experience, it’s not!
What’s the right thing to do in this situation?
If you are facing sex crime charges, there are some very specific things you should do, and should not do to make sure your case has a chance. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person can cost you your future! So take a moment to read through our basic list of what you should know, in case you are ever accused of a sex assault crime in Michigan. It may not seem like the most interesting topic now, but if you ever need this information, wouldn’t you rather be prepared? Here goesâŚ
Don’t say a word to anyone except your attorney!
The police are going to ask you questions, and it is natural to want to explain and defend yourself. Officers may tell you that if you just help them figure out what happened, they can clear up the issue and you can go back to your life. Sometimes they âjust want to give you a chance to explain your side of the story.â Not true. The police are not there to help you, they are there to charge somebody with a sexual assault Â
The more you talk to them, the more you provide them with ammo they can use against you. It’s also possible that they may misunderstand or misconstrue something youâve said. The best course of action is to politely ask for your attorney, and refuse to answer any questions or provide any explanations until we arrive and can advise you. In short, âlawyer upâ and donât believe any of the nonsense the cop feeds you about it making you look guilty or having something to hide. We have represented police officers being charged with sex crimes or other felonies for decades. Most of them do exactly what we advise you to do. Lawyer up; shut up!
Don’t fight with the police or resist arrest!
You may not have committed a crime, or believe that you deserve to be arrested. But even if you’re completely innocent, DO NOT RESIST ARREST! Never, ever. You will not win that battle. Fighting the police will likely result in additional charges that will make the initial charges even harder to address. Â The more compliant and respectful you are, the less opportunities you provide the police with to tack on extra charges or make false accusations against you. Remember – compliance and respect DO NOT mean you have to answer any questions!
Only provide the most basic information during the booking process!
You can tell the police your name and address. After all, this is information they can acquire from your driver’s license. If the police ask to see your identification, take your fingerprints or a photograph, we advise you to comply with those requests.
Law enforcement officers have the right to do that whether you agree to it or not. However, beyond those biographical basics, officers don’t need anything else to serve an arrest warrant or book you into a jail. Don’t fall into the trap of allowing them to engage you in conversation, even if they tell you they aren’t officially questioning you. Everything you say to an officer, even in passing, can become part of the investigative record. Much of the time these days, you are being recorded even if you cannot see a recorder or microphone. This can later be used against you.
Hire the best possible attorney if you’ve been arrested!
Join us next time, as we look at the next items on our list. Until then, if you need a skilled Michigan defense attorney, call The Kronzek Firm immediately at 866 766 5245. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers have been helping the people of MIchigan protect their rights and defend their futures for decades. We can help you too!