Jacksonville man changes mind on talking to police, is arrested on sexual battery charges

A Jacksonville man is in jail without a bond on a Jacksonville Sex Crimes charge after going to police headquarters to discuss accusations against him, then changing his mind and choosing not to speak with detectives. The 29-year-old man is now facing a first-degree felony charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12, according to a report in the Florida Times-Union. The charge is punishable by up to life in state prison.

The man told police he would answer questions about two incidents where a child said he touched her sexually, the newspaper reported. But when it came time to talk, the man changed his mind. Police felt they had enough evidence without his interview that he was immediately arrested on a Jacksonville Sex Crime charge. The suspect has every right to remain silent and not talk to police in this Duval County Sex Crimes case. As most people can recite from one crime show or another “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” And that is 100 percent true. Time after time in Jacksonville Criminal Defense Trials, prosecutors will play a video of the suspect’s interview with police where the suspect either admits to the charges or is caught in some type of lie that deals a significant blow to the case. If you or a loved one is being questioned by police about involvement in a crime, it is always best to speak with a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney first, if you plan to talk to police at all. At any time during questioning from police, you can ask for a lawyer and police must end the questioning right there. If you do call a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney, that attorney can be there when you meet with police and can help prepare you for what police may ask.

While refusing to talk to police can have a long-term benefit in the state’s ability to prove the charges against you, it can cause some short-term pain. In this Jacksonville Sex Crimes Case, the state asked that no bond be offered to the defendant. The judge agreed, so the defendant will be sitting in jail until the case is resolved. That can make it difficult to remain silent, but not talking is almost always in the defendant’s best interest. It is human nature to try to explain yourself, especially to an authority figure like a police officer, but most defendants in Jacksonville Felony Crimes Cases do nothing but hurt themselves when they speak to police.

If you or a loved one needs a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville or the surrounding area, call The Mussallem Law Firm at (904) 365-5200 for a FREE CONSULTATION. Our Jacksonville Sex Crimes Attorney, Victoria “Tori” Mussallem, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.