Steps To Protect Yourself If Arrested For a Sex Crime
The first and most crucial step is to refrain from conversing with the police. It's a common misstep that can have severe repercussions. Many individuals, in an attempt to clarify their situation, end up providing the police with the best evidence against them, leading to a situation where they are left with no choice but to accept a deal or face a conviction based on their statement.
So, please do not talk to the police; it's a common mistake. It's not easy because they'll come and threaten you, challenge you, say a bunch of stuff to you, use silence, and keep you in a room for a long time. But remember, silence can be your most powerful defense. Do not talk to the police related to a sex crime. This silence is your shield, your power, and your control in this situation.
Also, another weapon that the police use in investigating sex crimes has to do with what's called the pretext phone call. They're going to send either the alleged victim or someone close to the alleged victim to talk to you and challenge you and make statements to you to try to get you to make a statement that will incriminate you.
So, if you suspect you're being investigated, you're being questioned, you're being challenged related to a sex crime in Los Angeles — keep your mouth shut.
Retain an Attorney Immediately
Upon realizing that you are under investigation for a sex crime, the next immediate step is to secure legal representation. Waiting until you are in custody with a high bail and facing potential prison time is not advisable. By engaging an attorney early in the process, you allow them to guide you through the legal proceedings and potentially influence the outcome of your case.
There's too much at stake to think you'll handle it yourself or bury your head in the sand and hope for the best. If you're being investigated for a sex crime, you've got to get to an attorney. Hire somebody you trust. Hire somebody you respect — someone you feel comfortable with when you talk to them because if you feel relaxed, your instincts are likely good, and that attorney will do anything to help you. A trusted attorney can provide the reassurance and support you need during this challenging time. You are not alone in this, your attorney is your ally.
The next crucial step after securing legal representation is to develop a strategic game plan for your sex crime case. In an initial meeting with a client, we outline a game plan specific to their case. This plan covers all aspects, from potential evidence to their side of the story, and is designed to put us in a stronger position to make informed decisions moving forward.
We will talk about the other party's side of the story. Once we have those things laid out, we're going to be in a much stronger position to start making some moves and some decisions to help you related to your sex crime in Los Angeles.
Gathering Prosecutor's Evidence
The next piece of the puzzle we will need is the police report and the prosecutor's evidence. Then we can evaluate it, and then we'll have a pretty good sense of how the prosecutors will attack you and whether or not you have a defensible case or if it's the type of case where you will have to take some deal.
The following steps are if you are going to have to take a deal, get character letters together, get a mitigation package together, and possibly a psych evaluation, which will look at whether or not you will be a recidivist. Do something like this again—that's what the prosecutors are going to be worried about.
That's what the judge will be worried about, so we have to get that psych evaluation if it's a situation where you'll end up having to take a deal. The most crucial thing is to figure out whether it's a case where you're going to take a deal or a case going to go to trial because that will dictate what you do moving forward.
If you resolve the case, you don't want to take offensive steps against the prosecutors because that will anger them. That will cause them to take an offensive position against you, and you will suffer in the end.
The last thing, the previous step, is to listen to your attorney. If you've hired an attorney, let them handle the case. Let them guide you through it. Listen to them. Be patient because some of these cases take some time to unfold. They take some time for the attorney to do what's necessary to put you in a position to get the best resolution, to protect your criminal record, to try to avoid sex registration, and to try to stay out of custody. Remember, patience is key in navigating the legal process. Stay calm, stay patient, and trust the process.
Pick up the phone. Make the call today. We will do everything we can to help you and guide you through the sex crime prosecution related to your matter.
