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Even if you’ve always acted ethically, you might find yourself caught in a criminal investigation. Recognizing the early warning signs of becoming a suspect is crucial for protecting your rights and your future. Here are three telltale indicators and essential advice on how to respond:
1. Strange Contact from Your Past
If you receive an unexpected message, call, or email from someone you previously had a relationship with, and they are accusing you of misconduct, be immediately suspicious. This often indicates they have already reported you to the police and are attempting to gather more information or elicit a damaging response.
2. The Police Want to “Talk”
If law enforcement contacts you about any allegation, do not talk to them. The police are not there to be your friend or to help you understand the situation. If they are calling you, you are already a suspect, and their primary goal is to gather evidence that can lead to your arrest and incriminate you. The best response is to politely state, “Before I talk to you, I need to speak with an attorney,” and then immediately contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
3. Never Apologize for Something You Didn’t Do
It’s natural to want to de-escalate a situation or comfort someone, but never, ever apologize for something you did not do. Legally, an apology can be twisted and used as an “adoptive admission” or a confession, even if you are completely innocent. If accused, immediately disengage from further communication with the accuser. Alarm bells should go off, and your next call should be to an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Why the extreme caution? In many cases, the person contacting you with accusations might be working directly with the police, potentially wired or being prompted. Their aim is to trick you into admitting guilt or apologizing, which can then be used to build a case against you. Police officers are known to use psychological pressure and creative tactics to elicit confessions, even from innocent individuals.
Remember, in California law, a complaining witness’s testimony alone can be enough for a conviction in sex cases. While district attorneys and juries often seek additional corroboration, confessions (often disguised as apologies) are frequently what police aim to extract to solidify their case.
Your best defense is silence and immediate legal counsel.Do not try to explain yourself to the police; there’s no talking your way out of an arrest once they consider you a suspect. Your immediate priority should be to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney specializing in sex cases to protect yourself and ensure your rights are upheld.
