Maryland State Police interrogation in my home

[thrndmone88]

It’s been about 5 weeks and there has been no search warrant or arrest warrant issued. No calls or visits from any police. How long do you think it will take to be “out of the woods” so to speak? I don’t know how long legal processes usually take or at what point they would stop investigating.

I believe the detective was serious when he said he was closing the case (and I hope I’m correct....)

 

[quincy]

It’s been about 5 weeks and there has been no search warrant or arrest warrant issued. No calls or visits from any police. How long do you think it will take to be “out of the woods” so to speak? I don’t know how long legal processes usually take or at what point they would stop investigating.

I believe the detective was serious when he said he was closing the case (and I hope I’m correct....)

It is possible that the detective was serious when he said there would be no further investigation.

It is impossible to tell you for how long you must hold your breath and keep your fingers crossed.

 

[thrndmone88]

Thank you. As much as I would like some reassurance and a full night of sleep, I appreciate the truthful answer.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the local news to check out some other stories that are similar and happening around me and it seems people are dropping like flies for stuff like this. All of the other cases like this are newer (where the investigation starts after my current investigation did) and they seem to be fairly quick (where the length of the investigation is a between 3 months - 1 year long in total before they are arrested). These articles also stated that the timeframe from the pre-arrest questioning up until the search warrant issued was fairly quick (2-3 days, sometimes less) and they were arrested a few days after that. I’m assuming they have a large case load and just wanted to get this off of their plate. So they talked to me, I told them the truth (no idea who the girl is), and they closed it and won’t investigate further.

I apologize for rambling, just trying to reassure myself a bit. Fingers crossed that the investigation is over with.

 

[quincy]

There is really very little you can do about it so I would reserve all worry until there is reason to worry. Right now, it appears there isn't.

Just be sure to exercise your right to remain silent should questioning begin again - and then seek out an attorney in your area for advice and direction.

Good luck.

 

[xylene]

I think you shoudld talk to a psychaitrist who can talk this trauma out a little and prescribe you some tabs like a couple xanax bars or something.

 

[quincy]

I think you shoudld talk to a psychaitrist who can talk this trauma out a little and prescribe you some tabs like a couple xanax bars or something.

I personally think long walks outside in the fresh air is preferable to taking drugs.

 

[thrndmone88]

I do also prefer a good walk outside and some fresh air. It’s been a while since I was able to do that because of work. I have been meaning to talk to someone about everything going on in my life (unhappy at work from working overnights and having to sleep all day while it’s nice outside, some money issues my wife and I are having, the fact that I moved away from home and I don’t see all family/friends, etc). I think I’m slipping into a bit a depression and I think the stress from this investigation is starting to tip the scale a bit in depression’s favor. I don’t however expect to obtain a prescription for any drugs and I am not in favor of taking any either.

 

[quincy]

I do also prefer a good walk outside and some fresh air. It’s been a while since I was able to do that because of work. I have been meaning to talk to someone about everything going on in my life (unhappy at work from working overnights and having to sleep all day while it’s nice outside, some money issues my wife and I are having, the fact that I moved away from home and I don’t see all family/friends, etc). I think I’m slipping into a bit a depression and I think the stress from this investigation is starting to tip the scale a bit in depression’s favor. I don’t however expect to obtain a prescription for any drugs and I am not in favor of taking any either.

Because there is really nothing you can do at this point - other than to control your internet activities from here on out - there is little reason to dwell on the "could happens."

Good luck.

 

[B12570]

You should contact a lawyer. It seems that you’ve been accused of child pornography, or receiving pictures of a person under 18. Or maybe somebody stealing your WiFi. Regardless, I wouldn’t trust that he is “closing” the case. Contact a lawyer, explain the situation. Though he could not ever come back if by chance he does or it gets deeper from here, you’ll have some type of advice from a lawyer.

 

[quincy]

You should contact a lawyer. It seems that you’ve been accused of child pornography, or receiving pictures of a person under 18. Or maybe somebody stealing your WiFi. Regardless, I wouldn’t trust that he is “closing” the case. Contact a lawyer, explain the situation. Though he could not ever come back if by chance he does or it gets deeper from here, you’ll have some type of advice from a lawyer.

He actually hasn't been "accused" of anything yet. Although speaking with an attorney is not bad advice, and he probably should have spoken to one before speaking to the investigator originally, there appears to be no reason to see one right now.

 

[thrndmone88]

Thank you everyone. I understand, I should have talked to an attorney first.

The thing I’m worried most about is the officer showing up to interview my wife and releasing the details that I was texting 2 other women (they were over the age of 18 I might add). I’m not sure what information police are allowed to release to someone who is being interviewed in an investigation. I do know they are allowed to lie during an interview/interrogation and I don’t want them to twist these facts out of proportion. (Just a note, I haven’t talked to these woman since a few weeks before the day the officer showed up. I feel like a scumbag every day I’m alive because I was talking to them previously and I will never get rid of that feeling. I love my wife more than anyone can imagine and we’re both crazy for each other. I still feel like I failed her because of this. We’ve been together for 11 years and this was completely idiotic on my part. I still can’t understand why I was talking with them in the first place. This may have been a blessing in disguise as it made me realize I’m a dumbass for doing it. I also have ceased watching porn on the internet and have had very very little internet traffic at my house. I have had all devices except a PlayStation disconnected from my home internet since that time. I have also pretty much been non-existent on social media. I have also deleted all platforms except for Facebook and I’m even considering deleting that as well.)

As nothing has happened yet, I won’t be speaking with anyone about this, however, if things were to progress I will be sure to speak to an attorney before anyone else.

A couple of quick questions:
1. If the case is closed, does it just go away or are cases like this periodically reviewed? I’m curious to know if any of this will come up in the future again.
2. Does being a suspect in a criminal investigation affect any government clearance(current status or during clearance renewal)? I have one for my job currently but it will need to be renewed in a few years. I just want to make sure I don’t have to deal with this issue at that time either.
3. Does something like this have a statute of limitations?
4. Can a detective use discretion during a criminal investigation (ie - choose not to investigate further) or is that decision up to another party (prosecutor, captain, etc)?

I know very little about the legal procedures and/or the steps of a criminal investigation and where the investigation is allowed to stop and who is in charge of moving it forward.

Lastly, where would be the best place to find a cheap (but good) criminal defense lawyer for the state of Maryland who specializes in this type of case if I would need one? Pro bono preferably.

Thank you all for your advice.

 

[CdwJava]

1. If the case is closed, does it just go away or are cases like this periodically reviewed? I’m curious to know if any of this will come up in the future again.

If ti is closed, it is unlikely to be re-opened absent some new evidence that might compel someone to re-open it. If you are asking if the case is over, done, and tossed into a scrap heap never to be seen again, the answer is, "Not necessarily."

2. Does being a suspect in a criminal investigation affect any government clearance(current status or during clearance renewal)? I have one for my job currently but it will need to be renewed in a few years. I just want to make sure I don’t have to deal with this issue at that time either.

Maybe.

There are no cookie-cutter background investigations so there is no way to tell if your being a suspect in this matter will effect you or not. If your position requires certain CONVICTIONS in order to be disqualified, then it likely will have zero impact. However, if for a government security clearance, your involvement may very well have an effect ... but that depends on the position, the clearance, etc. There are a couple of posters here that can provide greater detail on this particular aspect.

3. Does something like this have a statute of limitations?

Most crimes have statutes of limitations. So, yeah, it probably does.

4. Can a detective use discretion during a criminal investigation (ie - choose not to investigate further) or is that decision up to another party (prosecutor, captain, etc)?

That is a matter of internal policy. Sometimes, yes ... sometimes, no. It might be that the detective will need a supervisor to sign off on closing it out ... or, it might not.

Lastly, where would be the best place to find a cheap (but good) criminal defense lawyer for the state of Maryland who specializes in this type of case if I would need one? Pro bono preferably.

Check with a local law school or bar association for information and referrals. Don't count on pro bono aid.

 

[quincy]

You should probably find a way to discuss the investigation with your wife.

 

[xylene]

I told you to see a shrink and get some xanax until you can get over yourself.

You are not the only person to ever have a tepid cyber affair or too... Lighten up. Get some perspective on whether or not to tell your wife.

Because in moral town (this forum) probably a lot of people are going to tell you to come clean. That may not be the right choice for your marriage. Or maybe it is.

Oh no, I'm suggesting you lie to your wife, maybe... Why do you get absolution? Maybe there would be a huge price for that, for her...

You don't get cancer from from keeping secrets. That's some Disney myth.

 

[Zigner]

Of course, being blindsided by an arrest will help his marriage, right?