my rights in a friend's case

[dziendobry3]

What is the name of your state? Michigan (Oakland County)


About a year ago my friend made a fake myspace of a teacher at my old high school.

They seized his computer and nobody has heard anything about it for a while, and now the police are talking to friends of his about the case.

I assume they will be visiting me soon.

What rights do I have? I assume I can say, "I don't know anything," or, "I have nothing to say," and that I do not have to let them in at all.

 

[ceara19]

What is the name of your state? Michigan (Oakland County)


About a year ago my friend made a fake myspace of a teacher at my old high school.

They seized his computer and nobody has heard anything about it for a while, and now the police are talking to friends of his about the case.

I assume they will be visiting me soon.

What rights do I have? I assume I can say, "I don't know anything," or, "I have nothing to say," and that I do not have to let them in at all.

You can say or refuse to say what ever you want. However, if a crime was committed by your friend and you have knowledge of this crime, it would be in your best interest to come clean with what you know. Google "accessory after the fact" to find out why.

 

[David Jonathan]

why would they be visiting you?

--Dave.

 

[dziendobry3]

I am pretty much hsi best friend and they have talked to several other friends.

 

[dziendobry3]

the law is calledl ike "illegal posting of messages online" or something

i don't think anyone has been prosecuted under it yet and it may not be constitutional


i really don't know anything about it, the police pretty much know he made the myspace
there's not much else to know about it, plus it was a year ago so if there is anything i honestly don't remember

 

[dziendobry3]

also, isn't there a law protecting those who refuse to testify?

 

[dziendobry3]

I guess the law is called "Illegal Posting of Message"

it's a stalking law he said

 

[dziendobry3]

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0xtf2e55aa4dnbuheacndbvs))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-750-411r&relation=next

I don't think the "victim" will have a very good case.

 

[ceara19]

also, isn't there a law protecting those who refuse to testify?

Not in this case. As I said early, look up "accessory after the fact". If you feel that there is no case, telling the authorities the TRUTH won't make any difference. If the DA is trying to use your friend as an "example", they will have no problem making an example of you as well.

 

[dziendobry3]

Not in this case. As I said early, look up "accessory after the fact". If you feel that there is no case, telling the authorities the TRUTH won't make any difference. If the DA is trying to use your friend as an "example", they will have no problem making an example of you as well.

If the Police come to my door, I plan on telling them I need to talk to an attorney. Every lawyer has told me to do this. They all said "don't say a word to cops whether you're guilty or not, consult us first."

 

[David Jonathan]

If the Police come to my door, I plan on telling them I need to talk to an attorney. Every lawyer has told me to do this. They all said "don't say a word to cops whether you're guilty or not, consult us first."

that's good advice.

and they can force you to testify, you're a "witness" not the suspect, but they could turn you into a suspect in a real hurry.

Best find an attorney before they start talking to you, so you can inform them right away you have an attorney.

--Dave.