how do i find out if the district attorney is investigating my case

Investigators would have clearances that help them access records not available to the public. Visit the district attorney’s office to know if you have a pending court case. However, you shouldn’t normally have to do this because they will send you a notice to appear in court.

Full Answer

How do I find out if I am under investigation?

The most common way people who are under investigation learn about it is when the police come to their door and ask to talk. This often occurs early in the morning, before you have started your day.

How does the district attorney decide to file a complaint?

The district attorney will go through the investigation file to determine if there is sufficient probable cause to file a complaint. This complaint is the legal pleading that lays out which crime (s) the suspect is alleged to have committed.

What happens when the district attorney decides to wait to file?

The district attorney decides to wait to file the charge. After thirty years, the last of the neighbors passes away and on the date of that neighbor’s death, the charge against the man is filed, even though no new investigation or evidence has been performed on the case.

How does the district attorney determine probable cause?

To show such probable cause, the district attorney will generally draft a written statement that outlines the evidence obtained by police during their investigation.

How do you know if FBI is investigating you?

The most common signs of being under investigation include talking to your friends, employees acting abnormally, and even an investigator leaving a business card on your door. Oftentimes, if the DOJ or FBI brings you under its investigation 'claws,' they may not confirm that you are a target.

How long does the district attorney have to file charges in Texas?

If Amy cannot post the bond (see below) and remains in jail, then the prosecutor must file the charges against her by complaint, information or indictment within: 15 days for Class B Misdemeanor, 30 days for Class A Misdemeanor, or 90 days for any Felony.

Why do prosecutors sometimes choose not to prosecute criminal cases?

Prosecutors may decline to press charges because they think it unlikely that a conviction will result. No matter what the prosecutor's personal feelings about the case, the prosecutor needs legally admissible evidence sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Why would the Department of Justice send me a letter?

Are You A Target Or Are You A Subject? The Department of Justice customarily sends target letters to individuals who are the target of a grand jury investigation and to those who are the subject of a grand jury investigation.

How long does the court have to indict you in Texas?

With the vast majority of federal crimes, the grand jury has five years to indict the accused. However, if the defendant is arrested and free on bond, the prosecutor has up to 180 days to secure an indictment.

How long can a police investigation last?

In a routine or less serious case you should expect to hear form the police within 2 to 3 months but in more complicated cases where the police need to obtain statements, forensic evidence, CCTV or expert reports to prosecute you then this could take several months.

What is exculpatory evidence?

Evidence, such as a statement, tending to excuse, justify, or absolve the alleged fault or guilt of a defendant.

Can charges be dropped after sentencing?

Charges also can be dismissed even if the case has gone to trial and the defendant has lost. A convicted defendant who wins an appeal can sometimes secure an order from the appellate court that the lower court (the trial court) dismiss the case or enter a judgment of acquittal rather than retry the case.

What factors do prosecutors consider in making a charging decision?

The decision to prosecute is based on the following factors:The sufficiency of the evidence linking the suspect to the offense.The seriousness of the offense.The size of the court's caseload.The need to conserve prosecutorial resources for more serious cases.The availability of alternatives to formal prosecution.More items...

What is a target of an investigation?

A “target” of a criminal investigation is a person against whom the prosecutor and law enforcement are working to obtain formal charges, that is, an Indictment.

What issues does the Department of Justice deal with?

Investigations & prosecutions: The DOJ deals with every type of federal crime, from bank robbery and kidnapping to financial crimes like money laundering, bribery and corruption, and the financing of terrorism.

What does a target letter mean?

A target letter is the means by which the federal government informs individuals that they are targets for criminal prosecution. In the simplest terms, it means the federal prosecutor believes the recipient has committed a crime.

How to know if you have a pending case?

Visit the district attorney’s office to know if you have a pending court case. However, you shouldn’t normally have to do this because they will send you a notice to appear in court. Call your local police department and ask if someone has filed charges against you.

What to do when police come to your house?

When they’ve managed to corner you, avoid lying. It’s a crime to do so. Just keep quiet and say that you need to consult your lawyer first. When the police come, they might show a search warrant. Do not let them search if they don’t.

Why do you need to be on alert when you are being investigated?

Be on the alert because the police might be wiretapping you or observing your actions. If you associate with people who have been arrested, it’s possible that you may be, too.

Can you be told you are under investigation?

Generally, you will not be told that you are under investigation unless they want to talk to you and ask specific questions. When they do call you, they have probably already gathered data, and they only want to confirm their conclusions. Police might show up at your home, or you may be invited to talk with a detective.

Can you refuse a search?

You can refuse if they didn’t give a good enough reason for a search. If you’re a government employee, you may be requested to go to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), or an OIG agent may talk to you. This may mean you’re being investigated for something.

What happens when you speak to a district attorney?

This means someone can be arrested for a crime, but the district attorney will review the police report and any available evidence to determine if the crime alleged was actually committed. If they feel they cannot properly or successfully prosecute for the crime, they may not file charges at all.

What is the role of a district attorney in California?

The role of the District Attorney is essentially just to prosecute the case. In California criminal courts, the prosecution holds the burden of proof that a crime was committed, meaning the District Attorney must show that every single element of the crime alleged was committed beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is any doubt as to any part of the ...

What to do when you are investigated?

If you have been investigated, then there is a chance that someone has approached people you know to ask about your activities or your character. Make a point of opening conversations with friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers. Depending on the person, you may want to begin with simply asking what is new. If that doesn't work, try asking him directly if anyone has been asking about you.

How do people learn about an investigation?

The most common way people who are under investigation learn about it is when the police come to their door and ask to talk. This often occurs early in the morning, before you have started your day. Law enforcement officers will identify themselves and ask to talk to you.

How to bug someone's house?

One way to bug someone's house is to simply hide a cellphone that doesn't ring or vibrate when called. You can look for electronic monitoring devices yourself by buying counter surveillance equipment. These devices, usually available for a few hundred dollars, can detect bugs and video equipment by the radio frequencies they emit.

Can someone see my credit report without my permission?

While there are laws protecting your privacy from people accessing your credit report without your permission, this won't stop an unscrupulous investigator. When someone asks to see a copy of your credit report, it is listed as a credit inquiry on the report.

What happens if a district attorney files a complaint in Kansas?

Some may even pass away or suffer from failing memories. This process can hurt both the prosecution and defendant. Recognizing this, Kansas has adopted a statute of limitations for nearly all crimes. These serve as time limits upon when a district attorney may file a complaint for committing a crime. After the set number of years passes, the suspect will not be subject to prosecution.

What is the role of a district attorney?

The district attorney is the lawyer for the state that is solely responsible for bringing charges against a defendant using the process called prosecution. This begins the “lawsuit” portion of a criminal investigation, moving the matter largely to the courts rather than the police station.

What happens when a suspect is charged?

Once charges are filed, the suspect officially “becomes” a defendant This may seem like a simply switch in wording, but it actually has very significant and real implications for the accused. Once a charge is filed, the options of eliminating the case are very few.

How can a case be ended?

Second, once a case has been filed it can only be ended in in four ways: by the state, by the court, by a plea deal, or by trial. Notice that the accused has no option of bringing a quick end to filed charges without winning a legal fight for dismissal.

Who handles the prosecution of all state offenses?

The investigating police officer will turn over the fruits of the investigation to the district attorney for the proper county. The county handles the prosecution of all state offenses; that is, violations of a state law. The police investigate both state offenses and municipal infractions, or violations of city ordinances.

Can a district attorney issue an arrest warrant?

A district attorney does not have the power to issue an arrest warrant by herself. Rather, only a judge can sign a warrant to make it effective. The judge will ensure that probable cause exists to suspect the individual has committed a crime.

Can a district attorney file probable cause?

With this standard in mind, most district attorneys will have little trouble establishing probable cause and succeeding in having an arrest warrant issued. “Discretion to file” is one peculiar aspect of the American criminal justice system is the ability of a district attorney to completely forego criminal charges.

What is a lawyer's track record?

A lawyer’s track record is a clear indicator of how good an attorney is at their job. That’s why it’s so important to look at your lawyer’s track record before you get one for the job. However, not everyone knows how to do so. Here’s how to research an attorney track record before you sign any retainer agreement and get trusted personal attorney.

Does the state bar have disciplinary information?

The state bar association also has plenty of information on any attorney discipline. Each state bar will have a disciplinary organization, where you can find information on lawyers’ conduct. That’s because the state bar associations keep up-to-date and accurate records on any ethical violations by their lawyers.

Does Google bring you information about a lawyer?

Google will bring you all the relevant information about the lawyer. This includes any news stories, online reviews, or publications relating to the lawyer and , most importantly , the attorney track record. The downside to Googling your lawyer is that it might take you a while before you actually find any relevant information.

Do you have to do homework to win a court case?

Your chances of winning or losing a court case majorly depend on your attorney. As such, it is imperative to do your homework on any lawyer you settle for to handle your case. We know how frustrating it can be to get the right lawyer for your case.