Laramie County D.A.: Don’t Wait To Report Crimes

Laramie County District Attorney Jeremiah Sandburg says it's important to report crimes such as sexual assault and domestic violence as soon as possible.

He says that's because the physical evidence vital to getting convictions in such cases disappears quickly and is often completely gone if the victim hesitates for a few days.

Sandburg says modern juries have come to expect forensic evidence in criminal cases, and getting convictions without it becomes much more difficult.

He recalls a recent case in which a crime victim suffered extensive injuries in an attack, and reported the attack within 24 hours, allowing investigators to document the extent of her injuries.

Sandburg says when he saw her a week later the injuries had healed and the evidence which was so important to prosecuting  the case would not have been available had she not promptly reported the crime to police.

Sandburg says reporting sexual assaults quickly is especially important, but is still important in domestic violence cases as well.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month across the United States.