Sex crimes are some of the most stigmatized crimes in modern society. If convicted, you may face years in prison, high fines, sex offender registration, and life-altering damage to your reputation in the court of public opinion. Sex crime accusations are nerve-wracking due to the assumption of guilt that often accompanies them.
If law enforcement has accused you of sexual assault, possession of child pornography, or molestation, your first inclination may be to refute or attempt to reframe the accusations. But, unfortunately, even if you are innocent, telling the truth will not set you free. On the contrary, speaking with law enforcement about the allegations may only further incriminate you.
If The Police Come Knocking, Stay Silent
There is a reason that one of our country’s founding documents, the U.S. Constitution, includes protections against self-incrimination. So even if law enforcement does not read you your Miranda Rights, remember that you have the right to remain silent and consult with a lawyer when being questioned by investigators.
It would be best if you exercised both of these rights, regardless of whether police show up at your doorstep or in formal interrogation settings.
Accused of a Sex Crime? Let Your Attorney Do the Talking
If accused of a sex crime, follow your attorney’s lead. Stay silent, and let them do the talking. Hiring an attorney is not an admission of guilt; instead, it signals to law enforcement that you take the allegations seriously and are prepared to work with legal experts to demonstrate your innocence in court.
You may be innocent until proven guilty, but it doesn’t always play out that way in sex crime cases due to how society views these crimes and accusations. An experienced sex crimes attorney can help you navigate these problematic accusations and protect your rights.
