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After a Search Warrant: The First Thing You Should Do
After being served with a search warrant, you will likely have several thoughts going through your head at one time. Avoid saying the first thing that comes to mind when you are served with a search warrant. This is usually what the officers want you to do and will try to use that evidence against you when you go to court. You don’t have to let the officers search for an area that is not listed on the warrant. This is where an attorney can come into play. If the officers started searching areas that weren’t indicated, then any evidence discovered could be thrown out of court because it was not discovered in a legal manner. When the officers enter your home, they can be intimidating. They can act as though they are taking over your entire home, which can be frightening for many people. However, you need to stay calm and try to remember that you can seek counsel.
Sometimes, finding an attorney who can help you in a short time can be difficult if no one is available right away. Keep calling attorneys until you find someone who can offer assistance. Even though your situation will likely be different from someone else’s, there are a few general pieces of information that you should consider. One of the things that you probably have questions about is what the search warrant is for and what it means for your freedom. You likely want to know how it will impact your family as well. When you are served with a search warrant, the federal government has collected evidence that could point to you being responsible for committing a crime. The officers would have to approach a judge with this information in order to get a search warrant before just randomly showing up at your home. Since a search warrant was issued, there is likely an investigation that has been taking place according to information that has been submitted against you. Someone has filed a claim against you or has given details that have sparked looking further into your activities. Once enough information has been gathered against you, then the officers and prosecution can seek a search warrant from a judge. This doesn’t mean that you’ve been convicted of a crime. It simply means that there are details that point to you in connection with a crime.
Sometimes, the government could be trying to get you to give them information about another person. If this is the case, then you should contact an attorney to find out whether you should give them information about another person or if you should stay quiet and wait until there is evidence against the other people who are involved. At times, the prosecution will offer a plea deal for information that you give about someone else, but you need to make sure you will receive full immunity, especially if the other person has threatened you or if you feel that your life is in danger. When the officers arrive, you should go ahead and let them search in the areas that are on the warrant instead of trying to argue with the officers as this can impact how you’re seen in court and could result in more charges.