First Steps After You’ve Been Arrested for a Sex Crime

Individuals who are convicted of criminal sexual assault in Illinois need to understand the steps they can take to protect themselves during legal proceedings. Due to the serious nature of this act, law enforcement personnel, as well as prosecutors, are under pressure to act and get a conviction as quickly as possible.

 

Creating a defense against these accusations can be challenging, but if the accused understands the charges they are facing, the process can be simpler to manage.

 

According to Illinois law, you can be accused of criminal sexual assault if you:

• Commit an act of sexual penetration
• Use force or threaten to force
• Are aware the victim does not understand the situation they are in or the nature of the act and/or they are unable to give their consent to it
• Are related to the victim who is younger than 18
• Are 17 and are seen as an authority or trusted figure by the victim who is at least 13 or younger than 18

 

What to Do After You Have Been Arrested for A Sex Crime

If you are charged with or arrested for rape or any other sex crime, the first thing you need to do is hire an attorney quick and then ask someone you trust to:

• Collect physical evidence related to the victim and the incident under scrutiny
• Make a list of witnesses or individuals who you think have information about the alleged victim, as well as the location and time of the alleged incident
• Collect phone, email, text and GPS records – especially if you think you are not the perpetrator

 

In the best-case scenario, you should be ready with this information before you hire an attorney, but that will depend on your circumstances.

 

What You Shouldn’t Do After Being Accused of a Sex Crime

While collecting and preserving evidence should be a priority, knowing what you shouldn’t do cannot be ignored. For example, it will not be in your best interest to:

• Talk to the police or investigators who oversee the case without having an attorney present
• Contact the alleged victim to discuss the charges
• Agree to or ask for testing that is not necessary, such as a DNA test or give any evidence without discussing it first with an attorney. This should be the case even if the evidence shows you are not the guilty party.

 

If you have been accused of a sex crime in Warrenville, Naperville or Schaumburg, Illinois, you need a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in handling such cases. If this is the case, get in touch with us at the law firm of Michael D. Ettinger & Associates today. We are highly respected criminal lawyers who have won numerous awards and honors for our successes. Face legal proceedings with confidence with us at your side. Get in touch with us for a consultation today.