How do I prove my son was home?

I just want to give you a hug. Its hard when our kids are making life harder for everyone because of their choices.

I agree. He needs one today. And you can read up on probable cause here. My ex was a cop and much of what this post says is what he would tell someone. 

Here's another one. Boys can be boneheads.  I'm sorry you're having such a shitty Monday.  

Lawyer up. NOW! They may just be “shaking the tree” to see if a confession falls out, or information that points them to another suspect. The fact that he really doesn’t look like the person in the videos, and that they didn’t arrest him, may mean they don’t really think it was him after seeing him.

Whatever you do, do not let him speak to an officer, and he definitely needs to keep his mouth shut if “friends” ask him about anything related to this or the other incident.

Print cards with the attorney’s name and number, and have your son carry them. If they attempt to question him again, he should say “ I am invoking my right to remain silent. If you wish to speak to me further, please call my attorney,” and then hand them the card. You can even print that on the card.

I don’t know how old your son is, but he needs to be coached about how to handle this if he really does have someone who is out to get him.

I’ll add my ‘get a lawyer’ to the pile you already have. SAY NOTHING. Make sure he says nothing. Do not let them bring him in for questioning without a lawyer (and also you, if he’s under 18). If the police have a theory they want to push through (regardless of whether it’s the truth), they’re going to try to get the person they’re accusing under pressure so they will say something or do something that could look incriminating and then the cops will use that as “proof” that the person is guilty. It’s not your job to prove he’s innocent, it’s their job to prove he’s guilty.

Someone I know who was very naive about these kinds of things was accused of something they didn’t do. Because the person wasn’t guilty they felt like it wouldn’t be a big deal to go in for questioning (without a lawyer, because you shouldn’t need one if you’re not guilty, right?) because they had nothing to hide. The police twisted and turned everything that was said in the interview until it looked like the person was squirming and guilty. Long story short, it really didn’t end well for the person I know.

You need a lawyer. That persons job is to defend your son. It is not your job to defend your son to the police. Don’t talk to them anymore without a lawyer.

there is a cell phone history that most people don’t turn off. It does show a history of where you’ve been. My husband showed me how to find mine. But I forgot. It had YEARS of history of places where I have been.

If the two are related then that is why the police came to your house and why they think he is a suspect. I would absolutely expect police officers investigating a crime to immediately look at any other related incidents from the past first, in order to find the most likely suspects. Even if the incidents are remotely related.

I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. It has to be incredibly frustrating and scary. Please find a lawyer ASAP.

This is what I was thinking too. His phone should be able to pinpoint where he was and when, even if it just shows where his text messages were sent from. If he has snap chat and has the map turned on, would it show history? I'm not sure how that works.  I'm so sorry you are going through this.

That was my first thought too, but cell phone history isn't going to prove anything except that the phone was at home during the incident (unless he was actively using said phone at the time of the crime and even then, I don't know that anyone can prove that he was using it and not someone else). He'd have to have basically recorded himself sleeping in order for a phone to exonerate him... 

I concur with the "get a lawyer and don't talk" We went through something similar with my oldest son. After we got a lawyer, because he did do something stupid, one of the first things the lawyer said was if he ever does something stupid like this and the police come to our house to not talk with them, but to get a lawyer first. He said it is not uncommon for the police to come over and accuse because they are hoping to get a confession. I think someone referred to it as "fishing" I am so sorry that you are going through this. It will get better and I will be keeping you in my thoughts for a happy and stress free day today. I hope all goes well, really.