Somebody has Made Sexual Assault Allegations Against Me in High School. What Do I Do?
School resource officers (SROs) are licensed police officers who work on many high schools around Minnesota. Because students see them all of the time and they normally don’t exactly dress like police officers, they sometimes don’t think of them as cops. They are. So, what happens if an SRO calls you into the office and wants to talk about allegations that somebody made against you for sexual assault? If you are placed in this position, say nothing and ask for a lawyer. In fact, it is important that you sit down with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney immediately. Better yet, make sure that they are also a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist.
“If an SRO calls you into the office to get your side of the story, especially in a sexual assault case, you must beware. They are cops. Some things you can’t take back.”
What Do I Do if the SRO Wants to Talk?
If you are in high school and an SRO in your school wants to talk about sexual assault allegations being made against you, it is important to that you respond to the request appropriately. If you think you can simply talk your way out of it, think again. You very well could simply be making matters worse. Here are some of the steps you should take:
Call our parents: Do this immediately and let them know what is happening.
Seek legal advice immediately: It is critical that you speak with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney immediately. When we say immediately, do this before speaking with the SRO. If you wait until after, it may be too late. Your attorney can also help you navigate the legal process and provide you with advice on how to respond to the allegations.
Handling the Investigation: Talk with your lawyer about the investigation and then defer to the lawyer. They is a fine line between protecting your constitutional rights and dealing with school administration. Again, do this before talking to the SRO.
Do not talk about the case or allegations with friends and others at school. You might be making statements against interest and admissions. These might be used against you in the future.
Understand that something that starts seemingly innocently can quickly turn into a full blown criminal investigation with truly dire consequences.
“The benefit to “lawyering up” cannot be overemphasized. The police will try to work quickly and nail down everything before you know it. Don’t let them take advantage of you.”
If somebody makes sexual assault allegations against you at school, be very very careful. The ramifications can be absolutely catastrophic. This could result in something so much bigger than the student body, your reputation in high school and more. This could result in criminal charges, potential adult certification, Sexual predator registration and more. Make sure that you sit down with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney.
Go with the Best
Jack Rice is a respected and nationally known criminal defense attorney who focuses much of his practice on sexual assault cases. He is a former prosecutor, former CIA Officer and a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. He is also the Founder of Jack Rice Defense, a boutique criminal defense firm in St. Paul, Minnesota. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.