Being accused of a sex crime in Salt Lake City is terrifying, no matter your guilt or innocence. The state of Utah takes these accusations extremely seriously, and the penalties one could face if convicted have the ability to alter the entire course of your future. Whether you’ve been accused following a misunderstanding at home near Liberty Park or a mistake was made in East Bench, know that an experienced Salt Lake City sex crime lawyer is here to serve you.
With decades of experience, the defense team at Blackley & Wingad is ready to protect you against sex crime accusations. Whether this is your first run-in with the criminal legal system or you have faced charges before, having an attorney on your side is essential. The first 72 hours following a sex crime accusation and arrest are crucial, and it is important to act fast when hiring a seasoned and competent criminal defense lawyer.
The First Steps to Take After Being Accused of a Sex Crime in Salt Lake City
While it is true that one American is sexually assaulted every minute and 83% of women and 43% of men have been sexually harassed or assaulted at some point in their lifetime, 2-10% of allegations turn out to be false.
In the aftermath of a sex crime accusation, your base instincts might tempt you to explain or defend yourself or make you want to try to address the situation. It is crucial that you do not follow through with these urges, as many times, they can make the situation worse. Instead, your immediate actions following an accusation and arrest should be focused on protecting your rights.
Immediately following an accusation, you need to take the following steps:
- Cease communicating. Do not try to contact your accuser. You may feel tempted to reach out to try and make amends or explain your actions. Don’t do this, as it usually only makes matters worse. This includes refraining from any kind of text messaging, phone calls, social media messages, emails, or communications through a third party, such as a mutual friend or family member. Any contact you make will likely be used against you.
- Do not speak with the police. If you are contacted by the police following a sex crime accusation, you have the right to politely decline to answer their questions or make any statements regarding the accusations. Instead, it is crucial that you clearly and calmly state that you are exercising your right to remain silent and would like a chance to speak with your attorney.
- Do not publicly discuss the accusations. You should not, under any circumstances, discuss the accusation with anyone, including family, friends, or coworkers. You should only speak about the accusation with your attorney. Posting anything to social media is likewise a huge mistake that will likely be used against you.
- Collect and preserve evidence. Do not delete anything from your social media accounts, your email, or your phone. It is important that you preserve all forms of communications, including text messages, call logs, and emails, as well as photos or other information that may be relevant to your defense.
Understanding a Bail Hearing in SLC
In Salt Lake City, following an accusation, official charges must be filed within 72 hours of detaining someone. Once these charges are filed, a bail hearing is held. In certain cases, prosecutors may request an extension of this timeline, and if that is the case, an accused party could face days or even weeks of jail time before getting before a judge.
For this reason, the first 72 hours after an accusation are crucial when it comes to taking the right steps to protect yourself and your future. It is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible following an accusation. Your attorney can work to have your initial hearing expedited so that you can be released from jail and go home while your official case progresses through the system.
Under the United States Constitution, you have the right to a speedy trial when accused of any crime. This means that most trials will need to be held within two to four months following an arrest. However, for more complicated sex crime cases, the prosecutor may require a longer time in order to prepare. In these cases, your attorney may be able to argue that your rights to a speedy trial were violated.
FAQs
What if I Have Been Falsely Accused of a Sex Crime?
If you have been falsely accused of a sex crime in Utah, it is important that you do not try to contact your accuser or the law enforcement officers attached to your case. Trying to explain yourself, defend yourself, or apologize will only make matters worse. Even when falsely accused, the first step you should take is hiring an attorney.
What Can My Attorney Do Following an Accusation?
Following a sex crime accusation, your attorney can take several steps to protect your legal rights. They are there to communicate with all investigators, advise you on what to say and what not to say during all police interviews, conduct a defense investigation to uncover evidence that can support your case, and provide you with strategic counsel.
What Mistakes Should I Avoid Following a Sex Crime Accusation?
Following a sex crime accusation in Salt Lake City, there are a number of mistakes you should try to avoid. First, do not contact the alleged victim, as this might be seen as intimidation or witness tampering. You should also refrain from posting on social media regarding the accusations or speaking with a police officer alone.
What Factors Are Considered to Determine if My Rights to Speedy Trial Were Violated?
In order to determine if your rights to speedy trial were violated, the courts will look at various factors. These factors include how long the delay lasted, whether the delay caused you any harm, what the reasons were for the delay, and whether, at any point, the accused requested a speedy trial.
Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer – Blackley & Wingad, Attorneys at Law, PLLC
If you are accused of a sex crime in Salt Lake City, you need to hire a sex crime lawyer as quickly as possible. Call Blackley & Wingad today to learn more about how we can help.
