Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog

What to do After a Law Enforcement Raid

A woman in Marion was recently arrested after dozens of animals were found neglected or deceased on her property. The animals include cats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, pigs, dogs, exotic birds, and miniature horses. The animals were subsequently taken into custody by the Animal Rescue League. After a similar raid several decades ago, the woman had been prohibited from having animals on her property. As a result of the raid, the woman’s house has since been condemned on the basis that the residence was structurally unsound and filthy.  

Children who were living at the residence were later placed with relatives. Law enforcement had been informed of the problem last month and warned the homeowner, but after returning, it became clear that improvements had not been made. The woman who owned the house was arrested and now faces several counts of animal cruelty as well as interfering with law enforcement and resisting arrest. Besides the woman who owned the home, four other individuals were living at the property. At least 45 animals have currently been removed from the woman’s care.

Having your home raided by law enforcement is not an experience to be taken lightly. In many cases, law enforcement will treat items carelessly, which can leave the residence a mess and even result in property damage. In many cases, law enforcement hopes that searching the premises in such an upsetting way will lead the suspects to say something incriminating. This article reviews some of the various steps that you should remember to follow in such a situation. 

Remain Silent

While performing a search of the premises, law enforcement will often prevent anyone from either entering or leaving the premises. During this time, it is a wise idea to remain silent and to avoid entering into a discussion with law enforcement. It is rarely the case that people who say anything during this time end up stating anything that helps their case. Instead, it is much more likely that something you say during this time will end up harming you in the long run.

Do Not Grant Permissions

It is a good idea to refrain from granting law enforcement permission to search the premises. Even if law enforcement has already obtained a warrant, it is likely limited in one or several ways. By providing consent to search additional areas, you can end up greatly harming the outcome of your case. 

Document the Scene

After law enforcement leaves the scene, it is a good idea to take photographs and even capture a video of the scene. Doing this can provide compelling evidence to support your argument particularly if law enforcement later makes inaccurate claims about how things were found. This evidence can also be valuable in case your civil rights are later violated.

Speak with a Seasoned Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Being subject to a law enforcement raid can result in many serious complications. To respond to any resulting charges, one of the best steps that you can take is to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. An attorney can help you navigate complex legal actions like filing a Motion to Suppress evidence. Contact Edward R Molari today to schedule a free case evaluation.