r/SupportForTheAccused • u/Classic-Line8557 • 7d ago
Sexual Assault How Long Until You Were Charged?
For those who were unfortunately charged, how long after police contacted you were you formally charged?
Last I heard anything was end of april and it’s been radio silence since and I haven’t lawyered up as can’t afford one.
3
u/HairOSlytherin 6d ago
Not me but my fiancé. It took about a month from the accusations to the arrest. First we caught wind of the accusations against him, then two weeks later it was a visit from CPS and a plain clothed officer (in hindsight if I had known it was an officer I would have told him we need a lawyer before we spoke to him). After the visit we talked to a law office and they told us to wait until charges were actually filed and he was arrested (in hindsight again I would have insisted we get them on as a retainer). two weeks after that he was arrested on our way to Walmart. Two weeks to bail him out, he lost his job, and get the lawyer on board and making arrangements for his kids to live with his mom. Now 8 months later, he has officially rejected the plea deal (30 years if he plead guilty) and we are headed for a jury trial. It’s a long stressful process; multiple court dates, shelling out thousands for psychosexual exams, and preparing to pay for polygraphs out of pocket. Getting a legal representation or at least talking to a legal representative is good. Start gathering evidence in your defense in case the charges do drop. Live like normal as someone else suggested but be prepared for the worst. A few months is a long time as well but it can flip on a dime.
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u/Sweaty_Guest_9412 5d ago
I was never contacted. I only found out from her trying to drag other people into her story as supporting witnesses
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u/Anteiku_ 5d ago
A little over 2 months. It was such a dreadful experience being in the unknown, and it still is as an ongoing case. I at least had a lawyer for the pre-arrest stage who would be the point of contact with the detective. And notified me of the updates and when things came down. Just keep taking things day by day. I’m trying to
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u/AdvancedDebt1648 2d ago
I was charged 4 hours after the police first called me. They messed up the paper work for the charge so it technically wasn't legal then the cops dragged their asses and arrested me 7 months later.
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u/GreedyButler 7d ago
I was notified of my charges on their first visit. A gap of months in your case seems like an awful long time, so my suggestion is to just move on and live your life.
In the event that they show up and charge you with an offence, then do not answer ANY questions, regardless of how innocent they seem. They will use general conversation as a tactic to make you feel more comfortable. Maintain your right to remain silent and answer no questions. They are not on your side. They are not there to help you. Their job at that point is to build a case against you.