The work before a charge
While an investigation is open, decisions are still being made about whether to charge, what to charge, and how to describe what happened. Counsel at that stage can handle communication with investigators, so you are not answering questions alone or agreeing to an interview without knowing what it is about. If officers arrive with a warrant, do not obstruct the search, but do not consent to anything beyond it, and ask for a copy. The range of matters is broad, from online communications to allegations between partners, and each calls for a different approach. An interview that has already happened cannot be undone, which is the main reason people call before rather than after.
Consequences that run past the case
Sex offense matters carry consequences that most other charges do not. Registration requirements exist in every state, and whether one applies depends on the offense and the jurisdiction. In some places there are also limits on where a registered person may live or work, along with effects on custody, professional discipline, and, for non-citizens, immigration status. These are not afterthoughts; they shape what a reasonable resolution looks like and need to be weighed long before anything is signed. We raise them at the start so that no decision is made without them on the table.
What a first meeting covers
We find out exactly where the matter stands: an open investigation, an arrest, a pending court date, or an order of protection. We identify any parallel process at a school, an employer, a licensing body, or Family Court. We discuss what you should keep, which usually means everything, and who you should avoid speaking with about the case, which usually includes friends and relatives as well as the complainant. Finally, we explain how the defense team will work with you in the weeks ahead, including how to bring us details you remember later.
