You might have received a call from a detective out of the blue. They might ask you to come in and clear things up. Sometimes, the police may have contacted your family, friends, or coworkers. These actions might seem like an investigation, but you haven’t been charged with anything.
What happens if you are under investigation but not charged? This is not something that you should ignore. The earlier you get help, the more options you may have in the situation.
If you believe you’re under investigation in Wyoming, this may be one of the most important times to talk to a criminal defense attorney.
A Case May Be Pending
In most cases, a criminal investigation happens before formal charges are filed. At this stage, law enforcement may:
- Interview witnesses
- Collect records
- Review digital evidence
- Conduct surveillance
- Seek search warrants
Sometimes, you may not even know you’re being investigated. Wyoming law allows certain search warrant affidavits to remain confidential until a warrant is executed. That means you could be unaware of an investigation until police contact you or take action.
So, if you think police are investigating you, waiting for them to make the first move may not be your best option.
What Can a Lawyer Do Before You’re Charged?
During the pre-charge stage, a Wyoming criminal defense attorney may be able to communicate with prosecutors, present overlooked evidence or information, explain mitigating circumstances, or advocate for a resolution that does not involve criminal charges.
Your attorney can also advise you about whether you should go to an interview.
But once charges are filed, the situation changes. Your defense is no longer focused on preventing or influencing the charging decision. Now, you’re responding to charges that already exist. However, that does not mean an attorney can guarantee charges will not be filed. It does mean that getting legal advice early can give you more options.
Never Agree to Come In and Talk
You might hear, “We just want your side of the story.” Yes, that sounds harmless. If you have not done anything wrong, you may think explaining yourself will clear everything up.
But talking to investigators without an attorney can create problems you didn’t anticipate. Even truthful statements can be misunderstood. Sometimes, they can be taken out of context or used to develop additional evidence.
You have a constitutional right to remain silent. Remember that right is not limited to people who have already been arrested. If police ask you to come in for questioning, you can say:
“I’d like to speak with an attorney before answering any questions.”
What Should You Do If You’re Under Investigation?
If you believe you might be the subject of a Wyoming criminal investigation, here are a few tips:
- Don’t agree to an interview before speaking with an attorney.
- Don’t delete texts, emails, photos, or other records.
- Don’t discuss the investigation on social media.
- Don’t ask friends or family to contact witnesses for you.
- Write down what you remember while the events are still fresh.
- Contact a Wyoming criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
If police come to your home, do not panic. While you don’t want to interfere with a lawful search, never volunteer information or consent to a search without understanding your rights.
Don’t Wait for Charges to Call a Lawyer
If you have been contacted by police or learned that you may be under investigation, you might not know what to do. But you have options, and you don’t have to wait until you’re arrested to get legal help.
Just Criminal Law can help you understand what’s happening, protect your rights, and see what options may be available before prosecutors make a charging decision.
If you think you’re under investigation in Wyoming, call Just Criminal Law at (307) 686-6556 for a confidential consultation. The earlier you get legal counsel involved, the more options you may have for your potential case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police investigate me without telling me?
Police don’t have to notify you that you’re under investigation. Search warrants and grand jury proceedings may also be confidential, so you may not learn about an investigation until law enforcement contacts you or takes action.
Do I need a lawyer if I haven’t been charged?
You can hire a lawyer before charges are filed. An attorney can advise you about speaking with investigators and, when appropriate, communicate with prosecutors on your behalf.
What is a federal target letter?
A target letter is associated with a federal grand jury investigation. It tells the recipient that federal prosecutors consider them a target. If you receive a federal target letter or grand jury subpoena, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately.
