Evidence in Greenwich Statutory Rape Cases

If you face allegations of statutory rape, you may be unsure where to turn or how to defend yourself. Local police and prosecutors pursue sex crimes aggressively, and a simple misunderstanding could lead to an arrest.

Thankfully, a top Greenwich lawyer could protect your interests. Defense attorneys have experience conducting independent investigations and carefully scrutinizing the evidence in Greenwich statutory rape cases. A lawyer could protect your rights while fighting for an optimum outcome to your case.

Working With Law Enforcement

Sometimes, attorneys work with law enforcement to determine if evidence is valid. This is especially true when the case is in a pre-arrest state where the police officers are still doing an investigation. A defense attorney, in a lot of cases, might decide that it is more beneficial for the client to go and give a statement rather than remain silent.

That is a decision that the defense attorney will make on a case-to-case basis. In those situations, if the attorney brings the defendant into the Greenwich police department to make a statement, the officers can look at the evidence they have and see if it is valid or if there are any missing pieces.

Will a Defense Attorney Conduct an Independent Investigation?

Technically, the state attorney’s office is responsible for making sure that the evidence that they have in a trial is valid and truthful. That said, a defense attorney also has the responsibility to do everything they can to counter and discredit any evidence that the state attorney’s office claims to have against the accused.

Law enforcement and defense attorneys have opposite goals when conducting statutory rape investigations. Police are investigating to see if they can get enough evidence to make an arrest. A prosecutor continues that investigation to get enough evidence to sustain a conviction.

It is important for the defense to do their own separate investigation because they are looking for anything that can undermine the law enforcement officer’s case and disprove the allegations against the defendant.

Gathering Evidence

While investigating, an attorney would first speak to the person being charged. That is the best starting place where they can get all of the information and details. Then, they will speak to any other family members who can give an opinion about the accused regarding character, background, and family history. They will also speak to any witnesses and/or family members who have seen interactions between the accused and the alleged victim because they can give personal knowledge of whether there is anything improper happening between the two.

Sometimes, there are witnesses who are not friends or family members who an attorney could track down through police reports. Most attorneys try to speak to the accuser and/or the accuser’s family as well. Whether or not the accuser wants to speak to them is a different story, but most experienced attorneys will at least send a private investigator to try to speak with the accuser.

What Resources Does a Criminal Lawyer Have?

An experienced defense attorney can usually provide knowledge of a good private investigator, which is often necessary in these cases as witness interviews are underway. They can also provide forensic resources, such as DNA or scientific evidence. Most experienced attorneys have a forensic scientist who they work with.

Additionally, an attorney could provide resources in the form of mental health professionals to use as consultants to look into the accuser’s mental health record. They may use a treating therapist for the defendant, either to undergo a risk evaluation or show the state attorney proof of counseling during the pendency of the case.

Consult with a Greenwich Statutory Rape Attorney

Challenging the prosecution’s evidence in Greenwich statutory rape cases can be difficult, but a top defense attorney is up to the task. They could conduct investigations, speak to witnesses, and poke holes in the Commonwealth’s case. For sound legal advice and expert representation, call today.