If your child has been accused of a sexual offense, you probably don’t know what to do or where to turn for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is important to remember that what you do now can help protect your child’s rights and reduce the long-term impact on school, home, and their future.
Protect your child’s rights before anyone asks questions
First, do not let your child speak with police, school investigators, or CPS without a lawyer present. You can politely say, “We’re not answering questions. We are requesting an attorney,” and then stop the conversation. This applies anywhere—at school, at home, on the phone, over Zoom, or during what someone describes as an “informal” chat.
School and Title IX interviews are not confidential, and statements often make their way to law enforcement. If someone insists on an interview, take their name and contact information and let them know I will follow up.
Preserve digital evidence and document the timeline
Next, preserve evidence. Digital information frequently decides these cases. Don’t delete anything. Save texts, DMs, Snaps, emails, call logs, photos, videos, and relevant social posts—including comments and timestamps. Capture full conversations rather than isolated messages so the context is clear, and include visible usernames and time/date stamps in your screenshots. Back everything up in at least two places, such as a secure cloud folder and a USB drive. Turn off disappearing messages where you can. Do not alter or “clean up” content, confront the other family, or post about the situation online. Also, collect the names and contact information of friends or adults who may have seen or heard anything relevant.
Write down what happened while it’s fresh. Start a timeline with dates, locations, who was present, and how people traveled to and from events. Note when and how you learned of the allegation—who called, what they said, and any school actions like suspensions or no-contact directives.
Keep copies of letters and emails from the school. List potential witnesses and any prior communications between the kids. Keep these notes private and share them only with your attorney.
Contact a juvenile criminal defense attorney ASAP
Early involvement lets me protect your child during this critical stage. I can handle calls from detectives and school administrators, advise you on whether and how to participate in school investigations, and move quickly to secure and analyze digital and forensic evidence. If charges are filed, I work to minimize release conditions that disrupt school and home life, keep the case in juvenile court, and avoid outcomes that trigger sex offender registration when possible. As a former prosecutor with over 25 years of experience and 120+ jury trials, I explain the process in plain English and keep your family informed. If it’s easier on you, I can meet at your home.
Call 952-952-9723 or contact me online for a free, confidential consultation. The sooner I’m involved, the better I can protect your child’s rights, reputation, and future.