What Should You Do If You're Accused of a Sex Crime in Columbia, MD?

If police or Child Protective Services contact you about a sex crime investigation, the most important thing is not to make any statement: take their name and number and tell them your attorney will contact you. Todd K. Mohink, who has spent 30 years in Maryland courtrooms, sits down with Brooke to walk Columbia and Howard County residents through the first 48 hours: what to say, what not to sign, and why getting a lawyer early matters. Questions answered in this episode: What should you say if police or CPS contact you about a sex crime? Why shouldn't you try to explain your side to a detective? What should you do if police ask you to come in and give a statement? Can you refuse a search of your home or phone without a warrant? When can age alone lead to a statutory rape charge in Maryland? How long does CPS have to finish an investigation in Maryland? What does an indicated CPS finding mean? What is a forensic interview at a child advocacy center? Should you talk to police if you are innocent? Topics covered: Child Protective Services, the Howard County Police Department, the Sixth Amendment right to counsel, waiver of counsel forms, consent to search, search warrants, forensic interviews, Maryland's age of consent, the close-in-age exemption, statutory rape, custodial child abuse, felony and misdemeanor sexual offense degrees, perverted practice, ruled out, unsubstantiated, and indicated CPS findings, the CPS registry, the Child Advocacy Center, juvenile facilities, false allegations in custody disputes, and Howard County detectives, prosecutors, and judges. Todd K. Mohink on what to say: "The most important thing is not to make any statements other than, 'Hi, can I take your name and number, and I will have my attorney contact you?'" Todd K. Mohink on detectives: "They are contacting you to get a statement from you that can be used against you at a later date." Todd K. Mohink on forensic interviews: "Before the accused is even contacted, they've already got the forensic interview recorded." Todd K. Mohink on local counsel: "When you have credibility with a judge, it makes them give your client a fair shot." Todd K. Mohink has spent 30 years in Maryland courtrooms and argued Braun v. Headley. Free consultation: marylandlawhelp.com Phone: (410) 766-0113 Office: Columbia, Maryland Recorded: August 2026 #MarylandSexCrimeDefense #ColumbiaMDCriminalDefense #HowardCountyCPS #ForensicInterview #MarylandAgeOfConsent #WaiverOfCounsel #CustodialChildAbuse Recorded August 2026. This episode is general information, not legal advice. Laws change frequently and vary by state, so the discussion here may no longer be current at the time you view or listen to it and may not apply in your jurisdiction. Viewing or listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome back to Maryland Law Explained with Todd Mohink 00:01:04 What Should You Say When Columbia MD Police or CPS Contact You About a Sex Crime? 00:02:47 Why Shouldn't You Try to Explain Your Side to a Howard County Detective? 00:03:54 How Should You Respond When Columbia MD Police Ask You to Come In? 00:05:48 Which Forms and Searches Should You Refuse Without a Columbia MD Lawyer? 00:08:01 When Can Age Alone Lead to a Statutory Rape Charge in Maryland? 00:09:29 How Do Misdemeanor and Felony Sex Offenses Differ in Maryland? 00:12:26 What Happens During a Howard County CPS Child Abuse Investigation? 00:14:56 How Does a Forensic Interview Affect a Child Abuse Case in Maryland? 00:16:11 Who Should You Hire When an Abuse Accusation Arises in a Maryland Custody Case? 00:17:31 Why Does Howard County Experience Matter in a Columbia MD Sex Crime Case? 00:18:47 Why Should You Stay Silent in Maryland Even If You Know You're Innocent?