What Should You Do If You Are Being Investigated By The Police?

It can be scary to discover that you may be a criminal suspect. The possibility of going to jail is frightening. It is easy to become overwhelmed after you find out you are the target of a police investigation. However, it is vital that after you find out the police are investigating you, consult with a criminal defense attorney before you speak with investigators. Below, we discuss some of the warning signs that you may be under criminal investigation and two crucial things to do if you are being investigated by the police.

Warning Signs That You May Be Under Criminal Investigation

There are several telltale signs that you are under criminal investigation. The following are some of the most common warning signs that the police may be investigating you;

• You are brought in for questioning by the police: The police may come to your home or workplace and ask you to go to the police station for questioning. When they come to you, they may tell you they want to ask you questions as a witness. But the truth is that they could also be investigating you as a suspect.
• You are being followed by the police, detectives, or private eyes: If you see suspicious or police vehicles outside your home or behind you while driving, it could be a sign that you are under surveillance.
• The police contact your family and friends: If the police contact your family or friends asking for information about you, it could be a sign you are under investigation.
• The police conduct a search: If, for example, a warrant is issued to allow law enforcement to search your home or other property and seize evidence, it is a telltale sign that you are under investigation.

What Should You Do if You Are Being Investigated by the Police?

The following are two crucial things to do if you are being investigated by the police;

Stay Calm

After discovering you are under investigation, the worst thing you can do is get upset and allow your emotions to take over. Yelling at the police, posting on social media, or confronting people involved will not help your case. If you let your emotions control you, you may give the police more reasons to suspect you.

Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney

Once you are calm, the next thing you should do is contact a criminal defense attorney. Do not answer any police questions without first consulting with an attorney. Remember, you have the right to an attorney and to remain silent. If you talk to the police without your attorney present, you may end up incriminating yourself. Self-incrimination is when you intentionally or unintentionally provide information to the police that suggests your involvement in a crime.

Some people mistakenly believe they can prove their innocence by telling their side of the story to the police. Unfortunately, speaking to the police without an attorney can come back to haunt you later. Police officers use tricks and tactics, such as lies and false claims, to get suspects to admit things they can use against them.

Contact Us for Legal Help

If you are being investigated by the police for any offense, do not delay to contact our Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer at Rigney Law LLC.

Source:

law.cornell.edu/wex/self-incrimination#:~:text=Self%2Dincrimination%20is%20the%20intentional%20or%20unintentional%20act%20of%20providing%20information%20that%20will%20suggest%20your%20involvement%20in%20a%20crime%2C%20or%20expose%20you%20to%20criminal%C2%A0prosecution