[MI] Do I have to make a statement if police ask me to?
If police ask for a statement about a sexual assault allegation—especially your stepdaughter’s accusation in Michigan—this is very high-stakes.
Do not make a statement without a lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you, even if you’re innocent. Police may frame it as “tell your side,” but their job is to gather evidence. Exercising your right to remain silent cannot be used against you in court.
What to do now: Politely say you won’t answer questions without your attorney. Don’t discuss the case with anyone else. If pressed, say: “I’m invoking my right to remain silent and to have an attorney present.”
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Should I make a statement to police in relation to a complaint against me?
I understand this is stressful. Have the police already contacted you about the complaint?
Yes.
Can you share more about the nature of the complaint and why you’re considering making a statement?
My stepdaughter is accusing me of sexual assault.
Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you?
Yes.
Hello, welcome to AskaLawyer. I’m DJ, a lawyer with 20+ years’ experience. To better understand, have you been charged with a crime? What state are you in?
No. Michigan.
If police ask for a statement about a sexual assault allegation—especially your stepdaughter’s accusation in Michigan—this is very high-stakes.
Do not make a statement without a lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you, even if you’re innocent. Police may frame it as “tell your side,” but their job is to gather evidence. Exercising your right to remain silent cannot be used against you in court.
What to do now: Politely say you won’t answer questions without your attorney. Don’t discuss the case with anyone else. If pressed, say: “I’m invoking my right to remain silent and to have an attorney present.”
This started as a CPS investigation last July. We have family court on the 30th for parental termination regarding our other kids. I discovered the investigation was closed, but today it was reopened. What does that mean? I already told police no to a statement.
Likely:
- New report or information triggered reopening (a fresh allegation, compliance concern, etc.).
- The reopened case could affect your termination hearing—CPS findings are often influential.
- Immediate steps: Contact a CPS/family defense attorney now; find out why the case was reopened; coordinate strategy across CPS and the termination case; avoid discussing details with CPS or others without counsel.
Is it possible I get arrested before or on the day of the hearing on the 30th?
It’s possible; hard to predict police decisions.
The lady my stepdaughter lives with is my wife’s ex-boyfriend’s mother. (My stepson lives there too.) She’s alienating the kids from their mother. I believe this all stems from her. How can I take legal or civil action against her, and does this affect the cases?
Michigan courts prioritize biological parents’ rights. A third party can seek custody only in narrow circumstances (e.g., certain relatives or where the child has lived with them and parents are unfit). Her legal standing may be weak.
- If she lacks standing, your attorney can move to exclude or dismiss her from custody matters.
- If she’s making false reports or interfering, document it for CPS and court to challenge her credibility and show it’s not in the children’s best interests.
- Raise her interference at the hearing; it may weigh in favor of the biological mother if it shows a toxic environment.
Thanks.
