This is how you can tell if the police are investigating you

Despite the fact that there are some more than 15 million active criminal cases Every year, most Americans only know about police criminal investigations from television shows. Police dramas are fun, but they make the investigation process seem pretty simple and obvious – those being investigated know about it immediately, and the case is usually closed fairly quickly.

The reality is completely different: criminal investigations can take a long time and people can become involved without their knowledge. The police are not obliged to inform you if they are investigating you. Whether you are directly suspected of a crime or are connected to someone else who is under investigation, there are signs that you are being watched by the police. Even if you are innocent of any crime, knowing that you are under investigation means you can take steps to protect yourself, such as consulting with a lawyer and being aware of it Your rights against abusive searches of your property. Here are the signs that you may be under investigation by the police.

Subtle signs that you are under investigation

Some signs that the police are investigating you are easy to miss and difficult to categorize. If you notice the following things happening around you, you may be under investigation:

• Unknown vehicles. Are there any unknown vehicles near your home or work? Seeing the same strange cars or other vehicles parked nearby over and over again could be a sign of surveillance – either by the police or thieves.

• Other signs of surveillance. If you notice cameras – either worn by people mysteriously appearing everywhere or suddenly installed on your street – police may be recording your movements and behavior as part of an investigation.

• Tracker. There may have been a GPS tracker in your car provided by the police.

• Strange social media contacts. If you notice a cluster of new followers or connection requests from people you don’t know, or notice a spike in traffic or followers that has no easy explanation, investigators may be monitoring your online activity.

• Employees arrested or investigated. If people you have a connection with are charged with crimes or are openly under investigation, it is very likely that your name will at least come up in that investigation. As the police gradually target the people around you, you may find yourself drawn into the whole thing.

• Complications at the bank. If you are having major problems with normal, everyday financial transactions and your bank or other financial institution cannot explain or resolve the problem, it could be a sign that your finances are being monitored.

• Hesitation to associate. Are friends and business partners suddenly unavailable and/or don’t want to talk to you? This could be an indication that the police have questioned them about you, causing them to distance themselves.

These signs are difficult to spot and difficult to interpret, but seeing more than one in your life should at least raise suspicion that you are being investigated. There are other, more obvious signs too.

Obvious signs that you are under investigation

While the police often investigate in the background without alerting the perpetrators, there are some very obvious signs that you are being investigated:

• Direct contact. The police may not tell you directly that you are under investigation, even if they take you to the police station or their offices for questioning or otherwise contact you directly. However, they don’t have to tell you why they want to talk to you. So it’s best to assume they’re asking you questions because you’re the subject of an investigation.

• Employees interviewed. If the police are questioning your acquaintances or business partners, it is a clear sign that you may be under investigation – especially if you are the common denominator of different people.

• ISP subpoena letter. If your Internet service provider (ISP) receives a subpoena for information about your online activities, it is required to send you a letter informing you of the request and how to comply with it. If you receive such a letter, it could be a lawsuit, but it could also be that the police are investigating you.

• Frozen accounts. If your finances are no longer so shaky or are literally frozen so that you can no longer access your money, it is often because of a criminal investigation that is leading into your finances in some way. If your credit cards and bank account suddenly become inaccessible, you have probably been under investigation for some time.

What to do if you think you are under investigation?

If you think you’re seeing signs that the police are investigating you, there are some basic steps you need to take:

• Lawyer up. Regardless of whether you are innocent or guilty – and even if you have no idea why you might be the subject of a police investigation – you should immediately consult a lawyer about your suspicions.

• Keep your mouth shut. You have the right not to incriminate yourself and you are never required to speak to the police without a lawyer present. Don’t contact the police to ask if you’re under investigation – they don’t have to tell you, and anything you say could be used against you. If you are contacted by law enforcement, do not say anything and refer them to your attorneys.

• Lock up. The police are obliged to obtain a search warrant Search your property. If one does not exist, do not allow law enforcement to do so Enter your home or business.