Under Investigation? Talk to a Former Flint Police Sergeant First
If police have contacted you, served a warrant, or told you that you're part of an investigation, what you do next can shape everything that follows. Before charges are filed, you still have the most options. Rick Hetherington spent 23 years with the Flint Police Department, about 15 of them in investigations, before becoming a criminal defense attorney. As a criminal investigation lawyer serving Flint and Genesee County, he represents people under investigation, helping them protect their rights and, where possible, avoid charges.
If a detective left you a voicemail, or you're worried a call or a knock on the door is coming, you're not alone. Most people who contact us have one of two concerns: they don't know whether to talk to police, or they're afraid of being arrested without warning. Both are legitimate concerns, and both have clear answers. Speaking with an attorney is your right, and it is not an admission of anything.
Why the Investigation Stage Matters Before Any Charges
A criminal investigation is the stage when police and prosecutors gather evidence to decide whether to charge someone. It can begin with a complaint, a traffic stop, a search, or a phone call, and you may not know whether you're a witness or a suspect. Decisions made here, such as whether to give a statement, consent to a search, or hire an attorney, often matter more than anything that happens later in court. Anything you say can be used as evidence.
The Moments That Matter Most
Most people face one of a few situations. How you handle each can influence whether charges are ever filed.
When Police Want to Question You
Police may call you, ask you to come in for a "quick chat," or approach you at home or work. You are generally not required to answer questions or consent to a search, and officers are allowed to use tactics in interviews that can mislead you. An attorney can speak with the investigator for you, or sit with you if an interview makes sense.
When a Search Warrant Is Served
Stay calm, don't physically interfere, and ask to see the warrant. Call an attorney, don't answer questions, and don't consent to a search beyond what the warrant allows. Note what officers take and ask for an inventory. Afterward, we review the warrant and how it was carried out to see whether it can be challenged.
What a Complete Investigation Defense Includes
Transferring or hiding assets before filing, which can create legal issues.
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Early Contact With the Investigator
We contact the detective or agent on your behalf, so you don't have to speak with them directly. We try to learn what we can about the investigation and where you stand, and we manage every communication from that point forward.
Reading the Investigation Critically
Rick spent most of his law enforcement career in investigations. He knows how police build a case, from interviews and evidence handling to how reports are written. That experience helps us spot weaknesses and decide what to say, and what not to say, at each stage.
Voluntary Surrender and Bond
If an arrest looks likely, we may be able to arrange for you to surrender at an agreed time instead of being arrested at home or at work. A planned surrender can avoid a public arrest and help with bond. It isn't available in every case, and we tell you honestly whether it fits yours.
Presenting Your Side Before Charging
In some cases, an attorney can give the investigator or prosecutor information and context that may affect whether charges are filed and which ones. We decide whether and when to do that strategically, because it can also reveal too much. No attorney can promise a result.
Protecting Evidence and Avoiding New Problems
Don't delete messages, and don't contact the person who made the complaint or any witnesses. Stay off social media. Each of these can create new charges or damage your defense. We explain exactly what to do and what to avoid while the investigation is open.
Why Flint-Area Clients Work With Rick Hetherington and CF Legal
Rick retired as a sergeant in 2011 after 23 years with the Flint Police Department, then graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and joined CF Legal, where he is now a partner. He knows how investigations work from the inside, and he handles his own client relationships directly. CF Legal has served Genesee County for over 30 years. We're a multi-attorney firm with offices in Flint and Grand Blanc, our phones are answered directly, and we return calls within 24 hours.
Serving Flint, Genesee County, and Mid-Michigan
Rick practices out of CF Legal's Flint office and the firm's Grand Blanc location, representing clients throughout Genesee County and across mid-Michigan. His familiarity with the 68th District Court in Flint, the 67th District Court in Genesee County, and the 7th Circuit Court comes from years spent inside those buildings, first as an officer and now as a defense attorney.
Local Court Familiarity
Legal outcomes can depend on local processes; working with someone familiar with Will County courts helps avoid unnecessary delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Police Investigations in Michigan
Should I talk to the police without a lawyer in Michigan?
Generally, no. You can politely decline to answer questions and ask to speak with an attorney first. Anything you say can be used as evidence, officers may use tactics that mislead you, and an innocent explanation can be misread. An attorney can speak with the investigator for you and tell you whether an interview is ever in your interest.What should I do if police serve a search warrant at my home?
Stay calm and don't physically interfere. Ask to see the warrant, don't answer questions, and don't consent to anything beyond what the warrant allows. Note what officers take, ask for an inventory, and call an attorney right away. After the search, we review the warrant and how it was carried out to see whether it can be challenged.Can a lawyer stop charges from being filed?
No attorney can guarantee that. What we can do is contact the investigator or prosecutor early, protect you from harmful statements, and, when it makes sense, present information that may affect the charging decision. In some cases charges are reduced or never filed. Results depend on the facts, and we won't promise an outcome.Can I turn myself in instead of being arrested?
Sometimes. When an arrest is likely, an attorney may be able to arrange a voluntary surrender at an agreed time. That can avoid a public arrest at home or work and help with bond. Whether it's available depends on the facts and the charge, and police and prosecutors aren't required to agree.What should I do if federal agents contact me?
You have the same rights as with local police. Politely decline to answer questions and call an attorney before you speak with them. If you receive a subpoena or a target letter, call right away, because deadlines can be short. Rick is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.