Rape And Child Sex Cases At The Investigation Phase In Utah

Being investigated for rape or sexual abuse of a child?  Too many make the mistake of waiting to hiring a lawyer.  This is the most critical portion of the case sometimes.  Police officers often tell suspects they don’t need a lawyer and that telling their side of the story will curry favor with the prosecutor.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  Giving a statement to the police locks you into a specific defense if they case goes to trial.  You provide the prosecutor ammunition on cross-examination if you have spoken before.  If your testimony varies at all from your interview with the police, the prosecutor will impeach you with the prior interview and tell the jurors that you are lying.  And, the inconsistencies don’t have to be on major points.  Something that you may think is insignificant, may become significant at trial.  Make sure that you ask for an attorney before giving an interview.  You have a right to remain silent and the prosecutor cannot use that silence against you, such as “John Doe must be guilty because he refused to tell us his side of the story.”  That is improper.

Once a rape or child investigation is completed, a warrant will go out and you could be picked up.  A rape or sexual abuse of a child case is a high priority case for law enforcement and officers are going to focus on picking up these individuals once charges are filed.

If you have an attorney, most times the detective will work with your attorney to do a surrender.  Before going into court, the “wheels are greased” and a release or bail reduction is already worked out.  Remember, it’s easier to stay out of jail than to get out of jail.

Don’t make the mistake of waiting to call an attorney after the prosecutor decides to file charges.  Hire a competent lawyer to help you through the process.

If you are facing rape of child sex charges in Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, Logan, Vernal, West Jordan or any city in the State of Utah, contact me for a free consultation.