Criminal Investigations

If you have been accused of committing a crime, the police will likely begin a criminal investigation before filing any formal charges. During this pre-filing investigation, the police will interview witnesses and gather evidence that they will use to decide to either make an arrest themselves or provide a report to the state attorney’s office. The evidence collected during this time will determine whether prosecutors will file charges against you. Therefore, the pre-filing investigation is a critical point in the case, and many decisions are made that can affect the outcome for you.

As soon as you become aware that you have been accused of a crime and that the police have started an investigation, you should seek help from a Chicago criminal defense attorney right away. Do not wait until charges are filed. At that point, investigators may have gathered a plethora of evidence against you. An experienced attorney can advocate for you throughout the process.

Call O’Meara Law LLC today at 312-909-0706 to find out how we can help you from the beginning of a criminal investigation.

Explaining the Process and Charges

Your attorney is your advisor who can explain to you every step of the process and the law behind the criminal charges involved. An experienced attorney will take the time to discuss the court system, the people involved, and the factors that may have an impact on your case. Ultimately, an attorney should empower you to make the best decisions possible for your case. The criminal investigation may go on for a long time before charges are filed, and during this period, an attorney can help monitor the status of the case and maintain regular contact with the prosecutors and law enforcement involved.

Advocate During Police Interrogations

Police interrogations can be a vulnerable time for someone who has been accused of a crime, especially if they do not have an attorney present. It is crucial for those accused of committing a crime to exercise their right to remain silent and to direct all police questioning to an attorney. As a matter of course, police must be made aware right away that an accused person has a legal representative. Police may attempt questioning informally to try to get more information and may appear casual, but anything said during these interactions can still be used against a person in court. An attorney can ensure that the police form an objective profile and that inaccurate information is corrected even before they create a police report.

Finding Favorable Evidence and Witnesses

While the police conduct its own criminal investigation, you can also locate witnesses and evidence to support your defense with the help of your attorney. You can begin building a strong defense against any charges. The more time your attorney has to prepare a defense, the stronger it will be. Additionally, your attorney can use the evidence they collected during the pre-filing investigation to speak with the prosecutors and try to convince them not to file charges based on the defense investigation. This may lead to reduced charges or to no charges being filed against you at all.

Experienced Criminal Defense in Chicago

O’Meara Law LLC is an experienced criminal defense law firm in Chicago, and attorney Michael O’Meara has extensive experience defending people against criminal charges. He has over 20 years of experience and can serve as an advocate for those who are being investigated for committing a crime even before charges are filed.

If you or a loved one is under investigation or has been arrested or charged, it is crucial that you speak to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Delaying representation may hamper your ability to mount an effective defense. Contact O’Meara Law LLC today at 312-909-0706 or online for an initial consultation.

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