What to Do if You’re Contacted by Detectives About a Crime in West Virginia
If you’ve been contacted by detectives in West Virginia about a crime—whether you’re being investigated, questioned as a witness, or potentially a suspect—it can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Understanding how to handle the situation is crucial, as your actions during this time can significantly impact your legal future.
At Frank Walker Law, we specialize in criminal defense, and we know how critical it is to have a clear plan of action when law enforcement is involved. This blog post will guide you through what to do if you are contacted by detectives, how to protect your rights, and why consulting an experienced attorney as soon as possible can help you avoid costly mistakes.
1. Stay Calm and Don’t Panic
First and foremost, if detectives contact you about a crime, remain calm. It’s normal to feel anxious or concerned, but panicking or making impulsive decisions can work against you. Take a deep breath and consider the following steps carefully.
2. Remember Your Rights
In the United States, you have constitutional rights, especially when dealing with law enforcement. Being aware of your rights can help you avoid self-incrimination and protect you from making statements that may harm your case down the road.
Right to Remain Silent: You are not required to answer questions from detectives unless you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent and not speak to detectives without your attorney present. Politely decline to answer questions and request legal counsel. Even innocent people can be misinterpreted or unintentionally say something that could later be used against them.
Right to an Attorney: If you are contacted by detectives, you have the right to request an attorney before answering any questions. If you’re not under arrest, you don’t have to stay at the police station and can leave at any time. If you’re unsure of the best course of action, a criminal defense attorney will help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.
3. Don’t Voluntarily Submit to Interrogation Without Legal Representation
If you are contacted by detectives and they request to speak with you, it’s important to remember that anything you say can be used against you. Even if you believe you are innocent or have nothing to hide, you might inadvertently say something that could hurt your case later.
You do not have to agree to an interview with law enforcement without your attorney present. It’s often best to politely state that you would like to have an attorney with you before answering any questions. Detectives may try to pressure you into speaking or convince you that cooperating will help your case, but it’s important to know that they are trained to get you to confess or provide information that could harm your defense.
4. Understand Why You’re Being Contacted
Detectives may contact you for several reasons, and it’s important to understand why they want to speak with you. Here are some of the most common reasons detectives reach out:
Witness: Sometimes, you may be contacted because the detectives believe you may have witnessed a crime or have information that could help their investigation.
Suspect: If the detectives believe you are a suspect in a crime, they may contact you to ask questions. If you are a suspect, anything you say could potentially lead to charges being filed against you.
Person of Interest: If you are labeled as a "person of interest," it means the police are investigating your potential involvement in a crime but haven’t made any accusations yet. Even though you might not be formally charged, you should still be cautious about speaking to law enforcement without legal representation.
Knowing your status in the investigation—whether you're a witness, suspect, or person of interest—will help guide your decisions about how to respond.
5. Contact an Attorney Immediately
As soon as you are contacted by detectives, it’s crucial to contact an attorney immediately. The sooner you have legal representation, the better prepared you’ll be to handle the situation.
Why You Need an Attorney: A skilled criminal defense attorney can protect your rights, ensure that you don’t make any statements that could hurt your case, and guide you through every step of the process. They can also help you understand whether you are being investigated as a suspect and what the potential consequences may be.
Prevention of Unintended Consequences: Even seemingly innocent questions from detectives can be twisted or misinterpreted. Having an attorney present ensures that you don’t unintentionally incriminate yourself or provide law enforcement with information that could be used to build a case against you.
At Frank Walker Law, we offer expert legal advice and representation during every phase of a criminal investigation. If you are contacted by detectives, don’t delay in reaching out for professional help.
6. Do Not Destroy or Alter Evidence
If you’re contacted by detectives about a crime, do not destroy, alter, or hide any evidence related to the investigation. This could lead to additional criminal charges, such as obstruction of justice or tampering with evidence, which can worsen your situation.
Preserve All Evidence: Instead of attempting to hide or destroy evidence, allow your attorney to handle the situation. Your attorney can assess the evidence and advise you on the best course of action.
7. Don’t Discuss the Case with Anyone Else
It’s tempting to talk to family or friends about what’s going on, but do not discuss the details of the case with anyone other than your attorney. Anything you say to others could be used against you later if the case goes to trial. Even if someone close to you tries to encourage you to share your side of the story, remember that you are under no obligation to speak without legal representation.
Avoid Social Media: In today’s digital age, many people take to social media to express their thoughts and feelings. However, discussing your case on social media can have disastrous consequences. Anything you post could be used as evidence against you, and it could damage your reputation even further.
8. Cooperate, But Only Under Legal Guidance
If you choose to cooperate with detectives, it’s essential to do so under the guidance of your attorney. A skilled criminal defense lawyer will know when it’s safe for you to speak and when it’s best to remain silent.
In some situations, cooperating with law enforcement may lead to a more favorable outcome, but you should always have legal representation to ensure that you are not putting yourself in a more vulnerable position.
9. Understand the Potential Outcomes
If you are questioned by detectives and they believe they have gathered enough evidence against you, there are several potential outcomes:
No Charges: After the investigation, it’s possible that detectives may determine there isn’t enough evidence to charge you, and the case may be dropped.
Arrest: If detectives believe they have sufficient evidence to charge you, they may arrest you and formally charge you with a crime.
Charges Filed Later: Sometimes, detectives will continue to investigate and may file charges against you after some time has passed.
An attorney can help you prepare for each potential outcome, ensuring you’re ready for whatever comes next.
Contact Frank Walker Law Today
If you’ve been contacted by detectives in West Virginia, it’s essential to act quickly and decisively. At Frank Walker Law, we specialize in criminal defense and are ready to provide you with expert guidance during this challenging time. We’ll protect your rights, help you navigate the legal process, and work to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Don’t face the investigation alone—let us help you every step of the way.
About Frank Walker Law
Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, and Personal Injury Attorney who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, a member of the National College for DUI Defense, Best Attorneys in America, Best Law firms of America, America’s Greatest Attorneys, and a Top AVVO Rated attorney, with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.
Additionally, you can find Attorney Walker on YouTube, TikTok, the Pittsburgh Attorney Podcast and the West Virginia Attorney Podcast, where he gives legal tips (not advice!) and discusses the pressing legal issues of the day.
If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or are seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-532-6805 (Pittsburgh), 304-413-0179 (Morgantown), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.