What to Do if You Have Been Charged with a Sex Crime in Utah

 Posted on November 29, 2022 in Sex crimes

Being charged with a crime can be a terrifying experience. This is especially true when being charged with a serious crime, such as a sex crime. Defending yourself against a sex crime charge is no easy task. Due to the severity of such crimes, the police and community may assume you are guilty before any trial has taken place.

To put yourself in the best possible position for a positive outcome in your case, there are several things you should do when you are charged with a sex crime. At the outset, strongly consider consulting with an experienced sex crime defense attorney. This is the first step you should take to help prevent the prosecution from securing a conviction against you. A sex crime conviction could mean decades of prison time and the lifetime designation of being a sex offender.

What to Do When Faced with Sex Crime Charges

When faced with serious criminal charges, besides immediately hiring an attorney, there are several other things you should do, including:

• Stay silent – As soon as you are charged, you must begin building your defense as quickly as possible. Anything you say can be used against you in court. Remember, under the Fifth Amendment in the United States Constitution, you are protected from self-incrimination. You may feel compelled to give your side of the story to the police. However, this is a grave mistake. Do not say anything that can be used against you, as this could put you at an immense disadvantage once court proceedings begin.

• Remain cordial – Even if you are entirely innocent, do not resist arrest or become physically or verbally abusive in any way toward law enforcement.

• Do Not Speak with Your Accuser – If you have been charged with rape, you may want to speak with your accuser to clear up any confusion or misunderstandings. This is a mistake. Keep to yourself and do not contact anyone who may be involved in the case.

• Tell your lawyer everything – Your lawyer is there to defend you and put you in a position to secure the most favorable outcome on your behalf. Tell them everything there is to know about the case. Think of your defense as putting together a puzzle. For the puzzle to be complete, you must have all the pieces. This is the same for your defense. For your defense to be as comprehensive as possible, your lawyer needs to know all the facts about your case.

Contact a Salt Lake City Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

 If you have been charged with a sex crime, your freedom is at stake. To ensure you avoid a conviction, you must proceed with extreme caution. Contact the experienced Davis County sex crimes lawyers with Collins Rupp, P.C.. Call 385-777-2753 today for a free consultation.

Source: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/stopped-by-police#ive-been-arrested-by-the-police