Sex Crime Investigations

If you are being investigated for San Diego sex crimes, this can be both frightening and overwhelming. These types of allegations must be taken seriously and you need to be proactive in this situation by contacting an experienced San Diego sex crimes lawyer as soon as you learn that you are the subject of a criminal investigation. A criminal investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct can be incredibly disruptive to your life and the last thing you should do is try to face these allegations on your own.

Making incriminating statements to law enforcement can have devastating implications for your future and reputation, which is why you should not speak to authorities before you have retained qualified legal counsel. Hiring a knowledgeable California criminal defense attorney to represent you as early as possible in the investigation process could be the difference between a conviction and preventing charges from ever being filed.

Your Rights If You Are Being Investigated for San Diego Sex Crimes

Sex crime investigations often begin with the alleged victim making an accusation to police. Once this occurs, law enforcement will begin an investigation. A criminal investigation into an alleged sex crime will usually involve interviewing the alleged victim, the accused, and any potential witnesses. A medical examination of the alleged victim will normally be conducted to determine if there is any physical evidence.

The police may also attempt to secure evidence by searching the accused’s home or computer. If the alleged victim is a child, law enforcement may conduct its own separate investigation or do so in conjunction with a CPS/DCFS investigation. While the focus of the criminal investigation will be on the collection of evidence for purposes of an arrest and prosecution, CPS/CDFS is responsible for investigating allegations of neglect, abuse, or general mistreatment of children, which can ultimately lead to your child being removed from your home.

If you have been accused of a sex crime, it is very likely that you will be contacted by law enforcement for an interview regarding the allegations. Though the police may question you in a seemingly friendly manner, it is important to understand that the police are not looking out for your best interest and they are contacting you in an effort to collect further evidence. If you are contacted by police for a statement, you should assume that you are a suspect and politely decline to discuss the accusations until you have spoken to a criminal defense attorney who has experience handling sex crime cases.

You should also not contact or speak with the person who accused you of the crime and it is best to avoid discussing the situation with friends or family as they may also be interviewed by law enforcement.

How Experienced Legal Representation Can Help During a Criminal Investigation

A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can explain your constitutional rights, advise you on how to respond to questions by police and/or communicate directly with law enforcement on your behalf. Early intervention by a skilled criminal defense attorney can prevent you from making damaging statements to police and ensure that your rights are not being violated during the investigation process.

Your attorney can conduct their own investigation of the allegations against you and work with prosecutors to try and prevent charges from being filed in the first place. If charges are brought against you, your attorney can challenge weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and build a compelling defense based on the specific circumstances of your case.

At McElfresh Law, we will aggressively protect your rights throughout the criminal process and immediately begin preparing a defense to the accusations against you. Jessica McElfresh is an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney who is dedicated to providing superior legal advocacy to all of her clients. She understands the uncertainty you may be feeling and will treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve.

She will fight to obtain the best possible results for your case so that you can move on with your life. We recommend that you act quickly. Contact us today at (858) 756-7107 for a free consultation and to learn how we can help.