I'm being investigated but not charged — what should I do?

This is the most important window in the entire process, and most people spend it making things worse.

Do not talk to investigators. Not to explain, not to clear it up, not because you're innocent. A detective who calls saying he wants your side has already formed a view. Anything you say becomes permanent, and inconsistencies get characterized as deception.

Do not contact anyone connected to the allegation. Not the complainant, not their family, not mutual friends. That can produce a separate charge for witness tampering and it will be read as consciousness of guilt.

Do not delete anything. Not messages, not photos, not accounts, not browser history. Deletion is recoverable, it is detectable, and destroying evidence is its own offense — frequently one that's easier to prove than the underlying allegation.

Do not consent to a search of your phone, computer, or home. Ask whether there's a warrant.

Call a lawyer today. Before charges are filed, counsel can sometimes speak with the State, address the investigation, and in some cases affect whether anything gets filed at all.