When you’ve been notified or suspect that you are under investigation for a crime, the steps you take before charges are filed can be absolutely critical in protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Whether you are facing allegations related to assault, drug crimes, white collar offenses or any other criminal matter, being proactive and strategic can make the difference. This guide outlines key behaviors you should adopt immediately, and explains how the team at The Law Offices of John L. Michels can defend you across all types of criminal charges.
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Immediate Behaviors: Protect Your Rights From Day One
When law enforcement or a prosecutor begins investigating you, here’s what you must do, and what you should avoid:
- Contact a criminal defense attorney
As soon as you believe you are under investigation, reach out to John L. Michels. He is a former deputy district attorney with over 25 years of criminal-law experience. Having counsel early gives you someone who understands how investigators and prosecutors work, and can intervene on your behalf from the start. - Do not speak to the police without counsel
Even if you believe you are innocent or the conversation seems harmless, anything you say can be used against you. With an investigator or officer present, you should say “I’d like to talk to my lawyer first.” Silence is not a sign of guilt; it’s simply your right. - Avoid discussing the case with others
Conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances can become part of the prosecution’s case. Avoid discussing facts, sharing opinions, or posting about the matter. Even private messages or social media comments can be used. - Stay off social media
Don’t post about your case, tag locations, discuss potential witnesses or suspects, or erase old posts trying to “clean up”. Investigators often monitor or subpoena social media activity. Assume everything is recorded or could be retrieved. - Conduct an independent investigation when applicable
Your attorney may engage private investigators, forensic accountants, or other experts to review what law enforcement is doing, check the evidence they may have, and build your defense even while the investigation is ongoing. - Do not destroy anything or obstruct the investigation
Never delete messages, erase evidence, or hide documents. Doing so can create a separate crime of obstruction or destruction of evidence, compounding your legal exposure. Keep whatever you have, and bring it to your lawyer. - Stay calm
An investigation is stressful, but acting emotionally or irrationally can raise red flags or lead to behavior that harms your defense. Let your attorney guide your actions. - Document everything
Keep a detailed log of what you know, when you became aware of the investigation, what investigators asked, who you spoke with, what you said or did. Save correspondence, Emails, texts. This can become invaluable to your defense. - Do not provide documents or evidence unless your attorney advises it or if legally required via warrant or subpoena
If law enforcement requests records, documents, or evidence, do not comply hastily. First consult with John L. Michels. Only after discussing the request, and determining whether it’s voluntary or compelled (warrant/subpoena) should you provide anything. Providing evidence too early or without counsel review can damage your case.
Practice Areas Covered by John L. Michels and Why Early Action Matters
Practice Areas Covered by John L. Michels and Why Early Action MattersAttorney John L. Michels’s firm handles a full spectrum of criminal defense matters in Riverside County. Whether you are under investigation for one of these or another allegation, the behaviors above set the stage, then his team takes over with strategic defense.
If you are investigating after an alleged assault or battery, early steps like preserving witness names, securing video or body-cam footage, and avoiding altercations or threats can matter immensely. Michels’s experience as a former prosecutor on violent matters gives him insight into how the District Attorney builds these cases.
DV investigations often involve police calls, protective orders, and special protocols. Early silence, no contact with the alleged victim unless directed by counsel, and preserving evidence (texts, calls, surveillance) are vital. Michels and his team handle these charged matters across local Riverside County jurisdictions.
From possession to trafficking, state and federal drug investigations involve searches, undercover operations, wiretaps, informants, and more. Early involvement of defense counsel helps challenge legality of seizure, consent, warrant scope, chain of custody. Michels’s background in handling major narcotics cases positions him well.
When you face an investigation relating to homicide or attempted murder, the stakes are highest. Early behavior, silent, secure records, no admissions, is absolutely critical. Michels has handled serious felony matters including murder and violent crimes including PC 192, vehicular manslaughter.
Investigations for sex offenses often include interviews, forensic exams, special investigators, privacy risk and reputation risk. Early protective steps (not speaking to police, preserving electronic data) are essential. Michels’s firm defends sex crime allegations within Riverside County courts.
Theft, burglary, robbery investigations may involve video surveillance, business records, victim witness statements, co-defendants. Early documentation, avoiding contact with alleged victims or co-accused, and bringing the right attorney on board matters. Michels undertakes theft crime defense.
For financial investigation, embezzlement, fraud, money laundering: the complexity is high. Early behavior: preserve business records, prohibit destruction of documents, secure accounting data, do not volunteer statements. Michels’s earlier prosecutorial fraud/embezzlement experience gives him a strong edge.
Drug & Gun Offenses / Other Felonies
Investigations involving firearms, weapons charges, gang enhancements, felony level offenses require immediate strategic counsel. Michels’s depth in felony defense across Riverside County jurisdictions means he can handle complex investigations.
Why Choosing John L. Michels Will Make a Difference
Why Choosing John L. Michels Will Make a Difference- Former Deputy District Attorney: He knows how prosecutors think, the strategies they use, and how to counter them.
- 25+ Years of experience: Multiple decades defending across misdemeanor to murder cases.
- Personalized attention and investigation team: He offers direct attention and uses veteran investigators.
- Focus on all major criminal defense practice areas: From assault, drug crimes, domestic violence, white collar and more.
- Free confidential consultation: Available 24/7.
- Conveniently located in Riverside, California, we regularly represent clients in the Riverside, Murrieta, Temecula, Banning, and Indio courthouses.
What to Do Next
If you believe you are under investigation, even if you have not yet been arrested or formally charged, the time to act is now:
- Call The Law Offices of John L. Michels at (951) 276-8900 for your free, confidential consultation. Or visit our contact us form and we’ll get back to you right away.
- Stop speaking to law enforcement without your attorney.
- Secure and preserve all potential evidence (documents, digital records, correspondence) and bring it to your attorney.
- Stay off social media, keep calm, and follow only the behavior checklist above.
Don’t wait until the prosecutor files charges. With the right attorney at your side early in the process, you have a much better chance of protecting your rights, limiting exposure, and achieving a favorable outcome.
