One of the most common questions we hear at VS Criminal Defense Attorneys is whether hiring a lawyer before charges are filed will make a person look guilty to the police. While this concern is rooted in a desire to appear cooperative, it fails to account for the reality of how sex crime allegations are handled in the Arizona legal system. In the specific world of sex crime investigations, the state often treats the accused as guilty until proven innocent, and the detectives assigned to your case are rarely looking for reasons to exonerate you.
At this critical stage, your primary concern should not be how you “look” to an investigator who is already actively building a case against you. Instead, your focus must be on your survival and the absolute protection of your legal rights. Hiring an attorney is not an admission of guilt; it is a calculated and necessary exercise of your Constitutional protections designed to prevent the state from controlling the narrative of the investigation.
By the time a detective contacts you for a statement or to “clear things up,” they have likely already formed a theory of your guilt. They are not looking for reasons to let you go. They are looking for evidence to support an arrest.
In Arizona, a felony sex crime accusation is a life-altering event that demands an immediate, strategic response. It ultimately does not matter if a detective or prosecutor views hiring an attorney as a sign of guilt, as they are already actively investigating you for the alleged events. Regardless of their personal perception, the presence of legal counsel serves as a definitive signal that they can no longer utilize psychological tactics or “nice guy” routines to bypass your rights or manipulate the narrative.
At VS Criminal Defense Attorneys, led by Michelle Skura, Esq., we focus exclusively on defending those accused of felony sex crimes. We understand that the investigation, pre-charge, pre-indictment, and pre-file phases are critical windows where we can build a barrier between you and the State.
The moment you retain our firm, we become your legal shield. Arizona law requires investigators to go through your attorney once they are notified of representation. This stops the “knock and talk” at your front door or place of work and prevents you from making statements that will be twisted against you later.
While the State gathers evidence for a conviction, we work to ensure the full story is understood. This includes:
Your right to an attorney is not a legal loophole for the guilty. It is a fundamental pillar of American justice.
Exercising a Constitutional right can never be used as evidence of guilt in a court of law.
Felony sex crime defense is a highly distinct area of law that requires much more than just a background in general criminal defense. These cases involve unique legal hurdles, such as Rape Shield laws and specialized psychological protocols that do not exist in other practice areas. Furthermore, a proper defense requires a mastery of both physical forensics, such as DNA and biological evidence, and complex digital forensics.
Because the stakes are so high, a meaningful defense requires an extensive team of outside experts to challenge the State’s narrative. Outside of felony murder cases, very few practice areas require this level of expert collaboration. At VS Criminal Defense Attorneys, our firm is built around these technical and emotional nuances. We utilize a dedicated team of experts to challenge the credibility of an accuser and navigate the intense judicial bias that often accompanies these charges.
Will the police think I am guilty if I hire an attorney before charges are filed?
If the police are investigating you for a sex crime, they likely already believe you are guilty. Hiring an attorney does not change their suspicion. It changes their access to you. By hiring Michelle Skura, Esq., you are notifying the state that you will not be a passive participant in your own prosecution. Your attorney ensures that your Sixth Amendment rights are enforced and that you are not coerced into a confession or into making self-incriminating statements that can be taken out of context to be used against you.
Can a lawyer stop sex crime charges from being filed in Arizona?
Sometimes. There is a critical window during the pre-file stage where an attorney can present information to a prosecutor before a formal decision is made. At VS Criminal Defense Attorneys, our goal is to show the prosecutor that their case is flawed or that the evidence is insufficient for a conviction. While no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome, proactive intervention provides the best opportunity to have the case dropped before it ever reaches the public record.
What should I do if a detective calls me about a sex crime investigation?
You must decline to answer any questions and state: “I am exercising my right to remain silent and my right to counsel. Please contact my attorney, Michelle Skura.” Then, hang up and notify us immediately at (480) 923-9001. Rest assured, we will handle all communication from that point forward and become your legal shield.
What is the risk of waiting until I am arrested to hire a lawyer?
Waiting until an arrest occurs leaves you vulnerable to a surprise interrogation. Police often use the moment of arrest to catch an individual off guard, hoping they will make emotional or unscripted statements before they have a chance to think. By hiring an attorney during the pre-charge phase, you often prevent these surprise tactics. Additionally, your attorney can begin communicating with law enforcement early on, ensuring the police have a more complete understanding of the entire situation and the credibility of the accuser before they move forward with an arrest warrant.
Michelle Skura, Esq. is the lead attorney and owner of VS Criminal Defense Attorneys. With an exclusive focus on felony sex crimes and major felony defense in Arizona, she is a passionate advocate for individual rights and constitutional accountability. Recognized as a Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, she provides aggressive and strategic representation to ensure that every client’s voice is heard and their rights are protected.
Your future is too important to leave to a firm that does not specialize in the criminal defense of sex crimes. Michelle Skura, Esq. and the team at VS Criminal Defense Attorneys provide a discreet, aggressive defense for individuals who seek the highest level of advocacy to defend themselves against serious sex crime accusations and charges.
Contact VS Criminal Defense Attorneys today for a confidential consultation at (480) 923-9001 or contact us at www.vsattorney.com.
