Your response to police pressure is normal, most people are intimidated by a police interview and try to be cooperative. You are not required to give info but it seems at that moment like the best thing to do. Usually it is not and it is better to remain silent as you are dealing with professional investigators who know how to wring a mop head dry.  I did not call you a dumb ass.

You did not have to give info but since you have, just sit tight and hope they do not call you to testify. If they do you might want to review possible testimony with your attorney. It would be best not to retract anything at this point but if they call again just say you have nothing new to add and are finished being interviewed. If you were not Mirandized,  then the info you gave would probably not be admissible if it were to be used against you. They may want you for a witness to her operation but a lot of these cases are pleaded out and never get to court. Keep us posted of any new developments.

What is done is done and you can't take it back.  

If you get contacted by the detective again just politely explain that you don't feel comfortable answering questions without your attorney present.

This will immediately tell you whether you have anything to worry about.  If the detective starts badgering you over the phone about suddenly not wanting to cooperate or even insinuating that failure to cooperate could have negative consequences then you know they were planning on popping you all along once you said enough.

If the detective accepts this answer and requests that your attorney set up a time for you to answer some questions then likely you are exactly what he says you are, a source of corroboration and not worth seeking charges against.

Why do I say this?  For this simple reason, if they just wanted information from you and if having your attorney present gets them the information they want then they will not be put out by it.  Your actions have not negatively affected their ultimate goal of pinning charges on the provider.  However if their plans were to give you the rope to hang yourself with then your sudden course correction puts a dent in their stat sheet and they will likely react negatively before they even realize what they are doing.

Either way it goes just remember that the District Attorney is the one with the power to make legally binding deals, not Larry the Lawman.  Larry can look the other way in exchange for your help but he is not allowed to formally make a deal to ignore your illegal actions.  Larry can come back on you later and there is nothing you can do.  Once a DA makes a deal it is sealed and over.  In fact if the DA's office contacts you don't be surprised if they suggest your attorney be present before you get a chance to say it.  If they are building a case against the provider and need your cooperation they will do everything they can to prevent you from clamming up on them.

You say that "he knew from all the info Crystal keeps that I've indeed paid for their services..."

You don't know squat.

You've been had by a fishing expedition.

Next time:

STFU, at least until you've spoken to your lawyer.

This should be the mantra of every hobbyist.

(still not a lawyer)

-- Modified on 9/21/2010 11:36:14 AM

Firt of all....

This was a friggin PHONE CALL... they can not even prove you were the person on the other end of the phone.  It could have been anyone and that anyone could have told them anything.  There is nothing in that phone call that could be used in court.  

Secondly, SHUT THE FUCK UP.  If they call you again, tell them to contact your lawyer and give them the name of some lawyer out of the phone book.   Let them spin their wheels trying to get through to him - and they won't bother because they know any lawyer would laugh at them and hang up.  

Third, WERE you called to court, the Fifth Ammendment would apply:  "I refuse to answer on the grounds...yadda... yadda....yadda.'  

Given that you have no Significant Other that might answer your phone, you really don't have anything to worry about.  If you aren't busted 'in the act,' they aren't going to make a case against you 99.9999% of the time.  Its just not worth the effort.

My .02

MVR

MVR

the cop gives your information to the da.
the da presents it to her attorney.
they'll tell her attorney that you agreed to testify, regardless of whether you have or not because they aren't really planning on going to trial.

they just want her to cave in and plead guilty so oh yes siree bob they will pull your name out of the hat, along with your statements and present it to her.

there's no law against being a dumbass.

you couldn't pull a oldie and just say "i don't remember"
nobody can prove you do remember.

i know my memory is selective as sh*t



modification for minor spelling error and tone

-- Modified on 9/22/2010 7:31:34 AM

Thanks for all the insight and advice fellow hobbist. Will just keep my mouth shut from now on for sure. Lesson learned... -_-

I'm not a lawyer, but your post could be considered a written admission that corroborates your verbal discussion with LE, as this could be traced back to your computer. Another lesson is not to admit to anything in writing on the internet.

I would suggest something that include phrases like, I don't recall such an event. I cant answer any questions without my attorney present.   I believe any further believe this line of questioning is violating my 5th amendment rights.   Bottom line educate your self before that call ever comes and you wont feel like a "dumbass".   Remember the most important rule: You have the right to remain silent.  And that is if your being charged.  The only one who can make you talk is yourself or a judge.   And if that were to happen LE must think you've got some thing pretty interesting to say,  I'm not saying lie, but memory can be a funny thing and there are not a lot of DA's that are gonna call a witness to the stand if there not sure of there testimony.  IMHO
Doc