Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

I live in the State of Florida. Last night, two police officers knocked on my door at 11:30 pm asking if I had a son named xxx (it was close but incorrect). He is 19 years old and had gone to his girlfriend's for the evening. I told them he was not at home and asked what this was about. They said a neighboring City had asked them to locate him. They did not leave any contact information (my wife asked for a card) and were very vague as to why they wanted to speak with him. Nor did they suggest we call the neighboring City PD. They did not indicate whether he was a suspect or if they wanted information.

I contacted my son by phone and asked if he could think of any reason why the police would be interested in speaking with him. Of course he could not think of a reason.

I am wondering what the best next step would be? He is not the most savvy kid in the world, and has not been in trouble with the law in the past.


Asked on 11/04/09, 9:50 am

3 Answers from Attorneys
Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

Your next step is to hire an attorney immediately. He may not be in any trouble whatsoever, but it could be that the police have some weak case against him for something and that by talking to them it only makes their case better. Don't be fooled by the fact that he may be innocent. If he is approached by police, he needs to immediately ask for an attorney if you have not hired one by then. These are the kinds of things I hear all the time from clients AFTER they have talked to police and wished they had hired an attorney first. Don't make that mistake. Good luck.

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Answered on 11/09/09, 9:59 am
Don Waggoner Don Waggoner Law, P.A.

Do not let him talk to the cops without first consulting an attorney and then having an attorney PRESENT when the cops talk to him. There is no way of knowing what they want and talking to them could give them what they want. And it doesn't matter if they say he is a suspect or a witness to a crime. Make sure you tell him this and that he is clear about it. He should call you or the attorney as soon as he is approached. Good luck.

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Answered on 11/09/09, 10:09 am
Valerie Masters Valerie Masters, P.A.

I suspect there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Please call my office and we can discuss his options. I workin your area and the surrounding counties. I do agree, he should not speak to police without a lawyer, but I think you need to know if there is a warrant.

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Answered on 11/09/09, 10:26 am


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