Pre-Charge Intervention & Investigation Defense
Pre-Charge Legal Representation During Police Investigations
Proactive Early Defense Before Formal Indictment
At the Law Office of David A. Chicarelli Co., LPA, we provide proactive legal defense for individuals under active investigation by police departments, sheriff's offices, and state agencies in Warren, Montgomery, and Butler counties. The best time to fight a criminal charge is before it is ever formally filed in court.
What Do I Do If Contacted by Police Detectives?
If detectives contact you for an "informal interview" or execute a search warrant, follow these critical steps:
1. Refuse Voluntary Detective Interviews
- Decline informal chats: Detectives use informal interviews to extract admissions. Decline all voluntary questioning.
- State intent to retain counsel: Say: "I will not make statements or answer questions without my attorney present."
2. Inspect Search Warrants & Refuse Consent
- Require written warrants: Do not consent to searches of your home, vehicle, or electronics without a signed judicial warrant.
- Observe search execution: If officers execute a warrant, remain calm, do not interfere, and request a copy of the inventory receipt.
3. Present Exculpatory Evidence Pre-Charge
- Conduct independent investigation: Have your defense counsel locate alibi witnesses and digital records before charges are filed.
- Engage prosecutors early: Demonstrate evidentiary flaws to convince prosecutors to decline indictment.
4. Retain Pre-Charge Defense Advocates
- Former prosecutorial insight: Work with defense counsel who understand how police build investigative files.
- Established trial authority: The Law Office of David A. Chicarelli Co., LPA brings over 50 years of experience to prevent charges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Police Investigations Defense in Ohio
Should I agree to a voluntary interview with police detectives?
No. Detectives use voluntary interviews to gather incriminating statements and build criminal cases. You must provide your name and identification, but say nothing further without your lawyer present to protect your constitutional rights.
How can an attorney intervene before formal criminal charges are filed?
Pre-charge defense attorneys contact lead detectives and prosecutors directly, present exculpatory evidence, arrange for polygraphs if appropriate, and demonstrate why charges should be dropped or declined before grand jury indictment.
What should I do if law enforcement executes a search warrant at my home?
Do not physically resist officers. Ask to view the search warrant, state clearly that you do not consent to the search, observe what items are taken, and contact your criminal defense attorney immediately.
Can police lie to me during an interrogation in Ohio?
Yes. Law enforcement officers are legally permitted to use deception, false claims of evidence, or fake witness statements during interrogations to trick suspects into confessing. This is why having counsel present is critical.