Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Hello. My name is Liana and I'm 17 years old and living in Irvine, California.

So last year I argued with a friend, X(who lives in the same neighborhood as me) about politics and we've never talked since. So his car got vandalized about 5 times this month. Yesterday, a cop showed up at my door asking me about my whereabouts on Friday because X's car got vandalized again. I told him, with my mom present, that I went to school at 7, I came back from school at 3:30 and after that I was with my mom, because she works on Fridays from home and at about 7 I went with her to a ice cream place. He also said that he was asking me questions because X told him I was the only person X ever pissed off. Today another cop showed up asking the same questions, because X's car got vandalized again. I told him I spent the day studying and my mom was once again with me. How should I handle the situation? Should I be accompanied by someone at all times, just in case the cops will bother me again? Can they arrest me or something, just because X said I was the only person he ever pissed off? Should I hire a lawyer? I haven't done it, by the way. I am a straight A student taking 3 A.P.(Advanced Placement- college level classes taught in high school) classes. I do not handle things this way.

By the way, I do not know much about U.S. laws, as I came to the U.S. from Europe about 4 years ago. I got my Green Card last year.

One more question, if the cop shows up at my door again, and my mom isn't home, can I tell him to come back when my mom is home?(I am home alone from 5 am to 6 pm monday through thursday). Would it look bad?


Asked on 10/18/09, 9:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

As every TV cop show explains, you should not say anything to police or other authorities without your attorney present. Adopt that rule now. Politely tell them you have been advised by counsel to decline to speak about this. If they really want to pursue it, tell them you will have your attorney contact them. If you get serious about hiring counsel for this, feel free to contact me. Having an attorney involved may convince them not to continue this.

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Answered on 10/18/09, 10:07 pm


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