Do I Need An Attorney Before I Am Actually Charged with a Crime?

Pre-Filing Investigations

If you are contacted by law enforcement during a pre-filing investigation, you may wonder whether to communicate with the investigators directly or hire an attorney. You do in fact need an attorney during a pre-filing investigation. The minute that you are aware of the fact that you are being investigated you should be on the phone scheduling a free consultation. In San Diego, you can call criminal defense attorney Domenic J. Lombardo for immediate help.

Are You Under Investigation?

If you become aware of the fact that you are under investigation for a crime, your first thought may be that you should just communicate directly with the investigators. Perhaps you don’t want to appear as though you have anything to hide or you may reason that refusing to answer questions could fuel speculations. To avoid the appearance of guilt, you may be tempted to speak to law enforcement. Don’t fall into this trap.

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An Attorney’s Insight

Don’t concern yourself with appearances. Arm yourself with legal representation. Even if you sincerely feel as though you did nothing wrong you should speak with a qualified and experienced defense attorney before answering any questions. When you retain a licensed criminal defense attorney he or she will bring professional insight to the table. Defense attorneys understand the tactics that are utilized by investigators. If you follow your lawyer’s advice, you won’t make any missteps that could yield negative consequences.

Behind the Scenes: A Refined Outlook

Once the investigators recognize the fact that you are being represented by competent counsel things often change. Your attorney may well have interacted with the prosecutors in the past. Your attorney may be able to glean information about the strength of the case against you. This could lead to discussions that ultimately end the investigation entirely or turn a potential felony charge into a misdemeanor.

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Domenic Lombardo

Domenic J. Lombardo, Attorney at Law and a member of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ), graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a B.A. in Economics-Business, before graduating with his J.D. from University of California, Hastings School of Law. Mr. Lombardo has been practicing as a criminal defense lawyer in San Diego for nearly 30 years, having started at the San Diego Office of the Public Defender in 1991 and then opened the Law Office of Domenic J. Lombardo in early 1996 as a sole practitioner. His practice is dedicated entirely to the defense of individuals accused of crimes and university misconduct, including Title IX allegations. While Mr. Lombardo works as the primary attorney for all his cases, he does have a team of investigators, forensic consultants, and paralegals to call on to help achieve the best possible result in every case. When he is not working, Mr. Lombardo is a family man, triathlete, and world traveler.

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