Salisbury Criminal Investigations
If you are suspected of committing a criminal offense in Salisbury the following is information on how you are likely to be investigated. This includes both pre and post arrest investigation information according to a Salisbury criminal defense lawyer. To discuss how you should respond to an investigation, call today and schedule a free consultation.
Salisbury has its own law enforcement agency, the Salisbury Police Department. This agency is responsible for responding to calls and conducting investigations of crimes occurring within the city limits of Salisbury.
Another law enforcement agency that patrols Salisbury is the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. In Wicomico County, the sheriff deputies have much more responsibility than just serving court papers. They also patrol the county roads and they also respond to calls for service.
And there is also a Maryland State Police barracks located in Salisbury and the Maryland State Police troopers at that barrack patrol the roads and highways in and around Salisbury. And they stop vehicles for traffic violation.
Crimes Investigated Before Arrests
Most felonies are investigated before an arrest is made. A clear example of this is a rape case. The investigation will begin when a woman contacts the police and makes a complaint of having been forced to engage in sexual intercourse without her consent. An officer will interview her and get as much information from her as possible.
Usually at this point in the investigation, the case will be assigned to a detective who will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the investigation until it is concluded. If a woman has not already done so, the detective will recommend that she go to the hospital and be examined. The detective will collect that examination which is oftentimes referred to as a rape kit.
They’re looking for forensic evidence that can be used against the defendant such as DNA. And therefore the rape kit will be submitted to a crime lab for analysis. The investigation will also include interviewing other potential witnesses who may have been nearby and can corroborate the woman’s story. The detective will then attempt to interview the man accused of the rape.
The detective may also request a judge to sign a search and seizure warrant to gain access to the suspect’s phone and text messages. And the detective may also request a search and seizure warrant for the location where the rape allegedly took place. Generally speaking, these are the pieces of investigation that takes place before a crime is charged. Officers interview the complainants. They interview potential witnesses and they gather any physical evidence which may support the allegation. This can be true of an investigation for a robbery, a burglary, a theft or a drug distribution.
Investigations After an Arrest
Authorities do sometimes continue to investigate after an arrest. For example, even after arrest, the police or the prosecutor may ask that items that were previously seized before arrest be submitted to a crime lab for a further analysis.
One of the most common forms of continued investigation that I see occurring is the monitoring of jail phone calls. Even though inmates are warned that their jail calls are monitored, they often continue to make very incriminating statements during the phone calls.
This has led to, for example, the police being able to locate additional evidence simply by listening to jail phone calls. They have been able to use statements that the defendant makes during a jail telephone call at the defendant’s trial. It’s one of the worst mistakes that I see clients make and it is a mistake that is so easy to avoid.
Sometimes, this additional investigation that continues on after arrest can be incredibly helpful to the defendant. And that is why it is so important to get in touch with an attorney right away.
I have been able to assist clients by reaching out to the police and informing them of an important eye witness that is helpful to the defendant. I have been able to provide the police with employment records that provide necessary alibi information to get charges dropped against the client.
The same thing is true of contacting the prosecutor assigned to the case and advising the prosecutor of a piece of important information that exonerates the client.