If you’re under police investigation in Dayton, Ohio, you need a criminal defense lawyer. Getting legal help during an investigation, before charges are filed, can change how your case unfolds. Moermond & Mulligan, LLC represents clients under investigation. We help you handle police questioning, protect your constitutional rights, and begin developing a defense strategy early on. Our attorneys bring decades of criminal defense experience and prosecutorial backgrounds. This combination means we understand how investigations work and what tactics investigators may use.
Why Choose Moermond & Mulligan, LLC for Police Investigation Representation
When you’re under investigation, you need an attorney who understands both sides of the criminal justice system. L. Patrick Mulligan, the founding attorney at Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, holds a Board Certification in Criminal Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This certification requires substantial trial experience, passing a rigorous examination, and maintaining continuing legal education. Brad Moermond, co-founder, is a former Assistant Prosecutor at the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office. He prosecuted felony cases in that role. This prosecutorial background means the team has insight into how investigators build cases and where weaknesses may exist.
Moermond & Mulligan, LLC has been defending clients in criminal matters since 1994. The attorneys have handled cases ranging from federal crimes to state charges, violent offenses to white-collar crimes. They have obtained outcomes such as charge reductions, dismissals based on constitutional arguments, and not-guilty verdicts at trial. When you hire Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, you’re getting attorneys who have tried cases in front of juries and judges. The firm maintains offices in both Cincinnati and Dayton, allowing it to serve clients throughout southwestern Ohio.
What Happens During a Police Investigation
Understanding the investigation process helps you know what to expect and why early legal representation matters. A police investigation typically begins when law enforcement receives a report or complaint about a potential crime. Investigators then gather evidence. This might include witness statements, physical evidence, surveillance footage, or records. During this phase, police may contact you for questioning, search your home or vehicle, or request samples like DNA or fingerprints.
The investigation stage can last days, weeks, or even months, depending on the circumstances. During this time, investigators are building their case. They may be interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and deciding whether they have enough to arrest you or seek charges. This is a critical window where having an attorney can protect you. Your lawyer can communicate with investigators on your behalf and help you avoid making statements that could be used against you later.
Your Rights During Police Questioning
You have important constitutional rights that protect you during a police investigation. Understanding these rights is essential because police may not always remind you of them. Anything you say can be used as evidence in court.
Your Fifth Amendment right protects you against self-incrimination. You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer police questions. Telling police, “I want to speak with an attorney,” invokes this right. At that point, questioning should stop.
Your Sixth Amendment right guarantees you the right to counsel in criminal prosecutions. Once you request an attorney in a custodial setting, police generally cannot continue questioning you without your lawyer present. If police contact you about an investigation, you can tell them you want to speak with an attorney before answering any questions.
Your Fourth Amendment right protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police generally need a warrant to search your home, vehicle, or personal belongings. There are some exceptions, but the basic rule is that searches without a warrant or valid exception are subject to challenge. You also have the right to refuse consent if police ask to search your property. Saying “no” to a search is not an admission of guilt; it is exercising a constitutional right.
How Early Legal Representation Protects You
Hiring an attorney during an investigation, before charges are filed, gives you several important advantages. First, you avoid making statements that could hurt your case. Many people think cooperating fully with police interviews will help them. However, anything you say can be misunderstood or taken out of context and then used against you in court. An attorney can communicate with investigators on your behalf and help protect you from this risk.
Second, early representation allows your attorney to investigate the case while law enforcement is still gathering evidence. Your lawyer can interview witnesses, obtain records, and identify weaknesses or inconsistencies before charges are filed. This early work can position you for better options later.
Third, your attorney may be able to communicate with prosecutors before formal charges are brought. Presenting information about your side of the story or mitigating details to the prosecutor can sometimes result in more limited charges or influence how the case is filed. This can be more difficult once charges are already in place.
Fourth, early legal help protects your rights during searches and questioning. If police violate your constitutional rights during the investigation, your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence obtained unlawfully. Evidence that is suppressed cannot be used at trial, which can significantly affect how the case proceeds.
Criminal Charges We Defend in Dayton
Moermond & Mulligan, LLC defends clients facing a wide range of criminal charges at both state and federal levels. The firm’s experience includes federal crimes, violent crimes, drug crimes, white-collar crimes, sex crimes, DUI/OVI charges, theft crimes, and weapons offenses. Whether you’re under investigation for a misdemeanor or a serious felony, the firm has the experience to represent you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I talk to the police without an attorney?
It is generally not in your best interest to talk to the police about an investigation without an attorney. Even if you believe you’re innocent, anything you say to the police can be used against you in court. Police are trained in interrogation techniques designed to get you to make statements. An innocent statement can be misinterpreted or taken out of context. A safer approach is to politely tell the police that you want to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. This is not an admission of guilt; it is exercising your constitutional right. Learn more about legal rights during police interrogation.
What should I do if the police contact me?
If police contact you about an investigation, stay calm and polite. Do not run or attempt to hide. Tell police that you want to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. Decline consent for searches of your home, vehicle, or belongings. Do not sign any documents without your attorney present. Then contact Moermond & Mulligan, LLC so the firm can advise you and help protect your rights.
Can police search my home without a warrant?
Generally, police need a warrant to search your home. A warrant requires a judge to find probable cause that evidence of a crime is likely to be found at that location. There are limited exceptions, such as searches conducted with your consent, searches in hot pursuit of a fleeing suspect, or certain emergency situations. If police search your home without a warrant and no valid exception applies, your attorney may be able to challenge that search and seek to exclude the resulting evidence. For more information, see our guide on understanding probable cause and arrest warrants in Ohio.
How long can police investigate before filing charges?
There is no single fixed time limit for how long police can investigate before filing charges, as long as the statute of limitations for the alleged offense has not expired. Police can investigate for as long as they believe it is necessary to gather evidence. If you are arrested, however, the prosecution must file charges within specific timeframes set by law and court rules.
What happens if I’m arrested during an investigation?
If you’re arrested, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Tell the police immediately that you want to speak with an attorney. Do not answer questions or sign documents without your lawyer present. After arrest, police will typically take you to a station for booking, where you will be photographed and fingerprinted, and your personal property will be inventoried. You will then be held until a bail or initial appearance hearing, where a judge will address release conditions. Learn more about what to do immediately after an arrest.
Can evidence be suppressed if my rights were violated?
Yes. If police violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, by searching your home without a warrant or valid exception, or by continuing to question you after you requested an attorney, your attorney can file a motion to suppress that evidence. If the court grants the motion, the illegally obtained evidence cannot be used against you at trial. This can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case and may lead to dismissals or more favorable resolutions.
How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense attorney?
The cost of criminal defense representation varies depending on factors like the complexity of your case, the nature of the charges, and whether the matter goes to trial. Moermond & Mulligan, LLC offers free consultations so you can discuss your situation and learn about available fee options without obligation. The firm works with clients to develop fee arrangements that fit their circumstances.
Ready to Protect Your Rights? Contact Moermond & Mulligan, LLC Today
If you’re under investigation or have been contacted by police, do not wait to get legal help. The decisions you make during an investigation can affect your case for years. Moermond & Mulligan, LLC is ready to help protect your rights and advocate for you.
Call (937) 228-9790 today for a free, confidential consultation. The attorneys are available to discuss your situation and explain how they can help. The firm serves clients throughout Dayton and southwestern Ohio. The sooner you contact the firm, the sooner work can begin on your behalf.
Related Posts
- Legal Rights During Police Interrogation: Your Rights in Ohio
- Understanding Probable Cause and Arrest Warrants in Ohio
- What to Do Immediately After an Arrest
- Evidentiary Issues in Criminal Defense: Challenging Evidence
- Signs You’re Under Police Investigation
Last Updated: 06-12-2026