Police Investigations for Sex Crimes in Denton County

Usually, someone who has been falsely accused of a sexual assault wants to set the record straight, and is eager to speak with law enforcement or Children's Protective Service.

Most people's experience with law enforcement is limited to side of the road discussions regarding traffic violations, and television. To some, there appears little harm in meeting with a police officer. After all, isn't a police officer just trying to get at the truth of an accusation?

Should I speak with police?

Police officers are people. They make mistakes, and sometimes rush to judgment. The sad fact is, some police investigators are more interested in proving an accusation than in ferreting out the truth. You must be protected from these officers.

Sometimes, in a sexual assault case, it is effective to speak with the police early in the investigation, but it would be foolish to do so without having a lawyer present. Your lawyer, if experienced, will know whether the officer investigating your case is acting objectively or is a "wolf in sheep's clothing."

Should I submit to a polygraph test?

There are times when you may be requested to submit to a polygraph test. The officer implies that if the accused passes a polygraph, the investigation will be dropped. Many innocent people consider this a good deal. It's not.

First, polygraph tests are not admissible in any Texas court specifically because no expert can testify as to their reliability. A false positive means you will be presumed guilty by prosecutors.

Second, even if you pass a polygraph, there is no guarantee that your case will be dropped. We have had clients who were charged and tried after passing a polygraph. The polygraph examiner will not tell the tested person whether he or she has passed or failed. We know of one instance where an officer told an accused person that the polygraph results showed deception, when the opposite was true. The police officer then proceeded to interrogate the suspect for hours.

It is not fair to say that a polygraph is never useful to a person accused of sexual assault. Sometimes, we will polygraph our clients regarding specific allegations of child abuse. However, it is done under the umbrella of attorney-client privilege, and any failure is not shared with law enforcement. If our client clearly passes the polygraph, and it becomes clear after discussions that the results will push the officer into making the right recommendation, we will send the report proper authority.

Hire Our Denton County Criminal Defense Attorneys

At the Law Offices of Tim Powers, we want to educate individuals who are involved in investigations of a sex crime, and allow them to make informed decisions when dealing with prosecutors and law enforcement officials. We take the time to discuss your case, and explain your options moving forward. Our ultimate goal is to help you reach a point where the charges you face are either reduced or dismissed. Allow us to represent you in your time of need.