Teacher Arrested for Alleged Child Molestation in Las Vegas

Sexual assault is a serious offense in Nevada, with equally severe penalties on conviction. Consider a recent case involving a Las Vegas elementary school teacher as an example of how seriously the authorities take these cases.

Las Vegas Elementary School Teacher Accused of Molesting a Student

According to KTNV, police recently arrested Walker Richardson on allegations that he inappropriately touched a student. Richardson, 52, taught at Sunrise Acres Elementary School near downtown Las Vegas. Police say there may be other victims and encourage them to come forward.

Richardson is facing charges of sexual assault against a child younger than 14 and kidnapping of a minor. Under NRS 200.366, sexual assault against a child younger than 14 is a category A felony. This conviction carries a lifetime prison sentence with the possibility of parole beginning after 35 years. NRS 200.310 lays out the penalties for kidnapping, which can be as much as life in prison without the possibility of parole.

What Should You Do If You Are Accused of Sexual Assault?

Conviction of sexual assault in Nevada carries severe penalties, starting with a lifetime prison sentence with the possibility of parole after 10 years. Even after release, a convict must register as a sex offender, which can have enormous practical and social consequences.

When the stakes of conviction are this high, your defense should be as strong as possible. Here is what you need to do if you are accused of sexual assault:

• Say as little as possible– Anything you say could damage your case or reputation, no matter how innocent it may seem. Do not speak to police or prosecutors without a lawyer present. Avoid making any public statements or posting to social media about the allegations.
• Preserve evidence– Save physical evidence related to the alleged offense, such as clothing, photos, videos, and other items. Anything showing you were elsewhere at the time and place where the alleged crime occurred is particularly important.
• Make a list of witnesses– Write down the names of anyone who might be able to corroborate your story or show you did not commit the crime in question. However, wait to speak to potential witnesses until you have hired a lawyer.
• Hire a sexual assault defense attorney immediately– Sexual assault and similar offenses carry hefty prison terms and other penalties. A lawyer can review your situation, determine your potential defenses, and help you pursue the best outcome, given the circumstances.

What Should You Avoid Doing If You Are Accused of Sexual Assault?

Just as there are critical steps to take if the police accuse you of sexual assault, there are also things you absolutely should not do, such as:

• Talking to the alleged victim or people they know
• Speaking to the police or prosecutors without an attorney present
• Giving evidence to law enforcement without talking to your lawyer first
• Making public statements about the alleged offense

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Las Vegas Help?

Under no circumstances should you try to handle a sexual assault or child molestation case yourself. There is simply too much at stake to go without the help of an experienced attorney. A sexual assault defense lawyer can help you with your case by:

• Explaining the charges and potential penalties
• Examining the evidence against you and looking for holes in the prosecution’s case
• Investigating the accusations independently to determine their merits
• Suppressing any evidence obtained through an illegal search
• Negotiating for a plea deal, if it is the right move for your circumstances
• Preparing your defense strategy if your case goes to trial

The criminal defense team at Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law have considerable experience with sexual assault cases and are prepared to work tirelessly to protect your rights. Contact our office now for a free consultation with a Las Vegas child molestation defense attorney.

The post Teacher Arrested for Alleged Child Molestation in Las Vegas appeared first on Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law.

from Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law https://www.adrasandaltiglaw.com/teacher-arrested-alleged-child-molestation/
via https://www.adrasandaltiglaw.com

What Are Your Rights When Dealing with the Police?

Police interactions are often stressful and come with the possibility of a citation or arrest. It’s essential to treat every police encounter with extreme caution. The police and prosecutors can use anything you say or do against you. The best way to avoid unnecessary escalations, charges, or arrests is to know your rights when dealing with the police.

If you’ve been questioned or detained, contact the criminal defense lawyers of Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law to learn more. 

General Rules to Consider When Talking to the Police

When a police officer confronts you, your goal should be to keep the interaction as brief and uneventful as possible. The more information you give the officer, the more they’ll have to use against you. Here are some general rules to bear in mind any time you talk to the police:

• Be wary of providing consent — Unless the police have reason to believe you have committed a specific crime, you do not have to give them information or allow them to search you. But if you consent to a conversation or search, the police can legally use any information they gather against you.
• Understand Nevada’s stop-and-identify laws — If a police officer stops you in public, Nevada law says you must identify yourself by name. Importantly, you do not have to provide proof of ID unless the police stop you while you are driving.
• Know when to expect a Miranda warning — In movies and TV shows, the police always inform people of their Constitutional rights by issuing a Miranda warning. In reality, this warning is only necessary when the police interrogate you while you are detained in police custody. But remember, you still have the rights listed in the warning regardless of whether the police informed you of them.
• Exercise your right to remain silent — Whether or not you think the police may suspect you of a crime, remaining silent is always a smart move. If the police stop you, identify yourself as necessary, but do not answer other questions. You have no legal obligation to do so — and your answers can only hurt you. 
• Stay calm, be truthful, and don’t resist — Remain calm and respectful throughout any police encounter. Never try to run from or obstruct any officer. Do not lie, misrepresent yourself, or resist arrest, even if the police have no grounds for the arrest. Follow police orders and keep yourself safe.

What Are Your Rights When You’re Stopped or Pulled Over by the Police?

If the police stop you in public, remember that you have rights under the U.S. Constitution:

• Once you identify yourself, you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about what you are doing or where you are going. 
• You have the right not to consent to a search of you or your property.
• If the police arrest you, you have the right to representation by an attorney.

If you get pulled over while driving in Nevada, your legal rights are slightly different:

• Upon request, you must show the police your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of valid insurance.
• If the police believe you have committed a traffic offense, they have the right to arrest you. If they reasonably suspect someone in the car has a weapon, they can also conduct a brief search of you and your passengers.
• Unless the police have a search warrant or reasonable belief there is evidence of a crime, you can withhold consent for the search of your car.

What Are Your Rights When the Police Show Up at Your Door?

Here’s what to know about your rights if a police officer comes to your home in Nevada:

• You have no legal obligation to let the police enter your home or answer their questions unless they have a warrant or a justifiable emergency. 
• If the police are not there to arrest you, you have the right to ask them to come back later. Even a brief delay can give you more time to learn about your rights and speak with a defense lawyer.
• If you allow a police officer to enter your home, remember that the officer can seize evidence of potential criminal activity if it is in “plain view” and use that evidence against you even without a warrant.

What Should You Do If You Think Your Rights Were Violated?

Police are supposed to protect and serve their communities. But far too often, officers abuse their positions of trust by violating the rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. If you suspect a Nevada police officer violated your rights, you should:

• Write down everything you remember about the encounter, including officer names, badge and patrol car numbers, and anything else that stood out.
• Collect statements and contact details from witnesses who saw the encounter.
• If you were hurt, seek medical care to have your injuries treated.
• File a complaint with the department’s office of internal affairs or complaint board.
• Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately.

What Should You Do If You Witness Police Brutality?

If you see a police officer violating someone’s human rights, such as by using excessive use of force or racial abuse, you should:

• Record the incident from a safe distance using your cell phone. If an event is plainly visible in a public space, you have the right to watch and record it. 
• Never try to hide the fact that you are recording someone else. 
• Know that the police cannot take your phone or search through your data without a warrant or your consent. 
• Know that the police might arrest you for refusing to stop recording them, even though the arrest would not be lawful. 
• Whether or not you get a video recording, write down everything you remember about the incident as soon as possible afterward.

Contact Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law If You Are Being Criminally Charged

If you are facing criminal accusations or charges in Nevada, contact Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law right away. Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys are standing by to answer your questions, protect your rights, and begin work on your case immediately. Don’t hesitate to reach out for your free initial consultation session.

The post What Are Your Rights When Dealing with the Police? appeared first on Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law.

from Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law https://www.adrasandaltiglaw.com/what-are-your-rights-when-dealing-with-the-police/
via https://www.adrasandaltiglaw.com