Criminal Defense Investigations: Take Control of Your Case

If you are under investigation by law enforcement, it is important to hire a criminal investigation attorney to represent you and protect your rights to the fullest.  You need to know your rights regarding the investigation.  Your criminal defense attorney will act as a buffer between you and the law enforcement officers and provide guidance and representation about how to respond.

Investigations can take different forms.  For example, law enforcement may knock on your door and ask to talk, or ask you to voluntarily appear at the police station for questioning, as they investigate an alleged crime.   Law enforcement may execute a search warrant at your business or residence as part of an investigation.  Remember, regardless of the form of the criminal investigation, law enforcement’s goal is to gather evidence—often the evidence is obtained with the hope of you being charged with a crime.  Law enforcement often is biased in how it views the people it investigates, making it important to have a criminal defense attorney on your side. In a criminal investigation, do not try to interface with law enforcement authorities without a criminal defense lawyer.  If you do, you could jeopardize the entire defense of your case.

Additionally, your own investigation in criminal cases can provide critical information for mounting an effective defense.  A criminal defense attorney can hire a private investigator to help prepare your case, even before you get charged.  Sometimes investigation will prove you are not guilty of a crime and convince the prosecutor not to charge you with any crime.  Regardless of when you hire a criminal defense attorney, proper investigation of the underlying facts and witnesses results in thorough preparation and analysis of your case.  If your case ends up in a trial, the pretrial investigation of your case is very important, and may create a reasonable doubt.

If you are subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury, you could be in the radar of the prosecutor as a potential defendant.  You need to retain an attorney to consult with in such a situation.  Investigation of the facts surrounding the case may be necessary to determine if you should actually testify, or if you want to assert your right to remain silent.

Criminal defense attorney James B. Sheehy can coordinate with a private investigator to prepare your defense.   Mr. Sheehy, a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, has extensive experience working with investigators.  Whether you are under investigation or charges have already been filed against you, contact Mr. Sheehy today at (612) 341-1011.