House Search and Seizure in Cases of Sexual Offenses
House Search and Seizure
In cases of sexual offenses of any kind, you must expect a house search and the seizure of certain assets. Typically, the officers will be at your doorstep early in the morning. Only during this visit will you learn that an investigation is underway against you. This will be a shock, but you should nevertheless act confidently.
First, it is important to open the front door. Otherwise, the police will call a locksmith and gain access to your apartment this way. Second, you should carefully read the search warrant. Above all, you should understand what the authorities are specifically accusing you of. Third, you should formally object to the seizure of items. What exactly is seized depends on the alleged crime. In the case of child and youth pornography, for example, investigators will focus on data storage devices; in the case of rape, they will want to seize items of clothing and other potential evidence in addition to data storage devices.
While objecting to the seizure order does not prevent the seizure, the police must then resort to confiscation. This means that a judge must decide on the seizure. Fourth, check whether the officers have recorded all seized items in the warrant.
Also, contact our law firm during or shortly after the house search. We will then exhaust all legal means available. Among other things, we request access to the files to analyze the status of the investigation. We can also file a complaint against the search warrant and urge the prompt release of the seized items.
Two more tips: Never destroy any evidence if the police ring your doorbell. This could lead to a risk of obstruction of justice and thus pretrial detention. Furthermore, exercise your right to remain silent.
