If the police asked for a swab of my check for DNA purposes regarding a sexual assault and I gave it to them, should I still consult with an attorney?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If the police asked for a swab of my check for DNA purposes regarding a sexual assault and I gave it to them, should I still consult with an attorney?

I am an international student living in the United States. I was walking back from campus after spending the night in my office when a cop stopped me. He told me that there had been a sexual assault in the area and the victim described the perpetrator as wearing an orange striped shirt. I had a jacket on with a yellow border on it which according to him was close enough. He took my picture and had my backpack checked. I was very cooperative and did not stop him. He told me that I don’t look a guy who would do a serious crime like that but just to be sure asked me for a cheek swab. That instantly had me worried. But I did not say no and let him take the swab. 12 hours have passed. What should I be doing now? Should I be talking to a lawyer?

Asked on June 7, 2015 under Criminal Law, Colorado

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

DNA is highly accurate. Have you had any physical contact with a female recently who *might* have miscontrused the contact as sexual assault? If so--if there's any chance at all that swab might match a DNA sample taken from a local woman--then yes, speak with an attorney. If you have had not recent contact with local women, then there seems no reason to worry, since hte sample should not show a match.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption