Don'T Make These Mistakes If You Get Arrested
If you or a loved one has been arrested, there are a number of mistakes that you can make that can ultimately "break" your criminal case. To make sure that you have the best chance possible at getting out of the situation that you have found yourself in, here are some of the most common mistakes that people make when they are arrested that you will want to avoid at all costs.
Failing to Request Legal Aid
To ensure that your rights are fully protected and that you receive your right to a fair trial, it is important that you seek legal counsel immediately. An attorney will provide you with legal guidance about what should and should not be said after being arrested. The longer that you hold off on requesting legal assistance, the higher that you are at risk of making a crucial mistake that could lead to compromising your overall case as well as your future.
Discussing Your Case
It is important that you avoid speaking to anyone about your case while you are waiting to speak to your lawyer or to be bailed out. This includes talking to the police, other inmates, friends, or family. It can be incredibly scary to be arrested, and some people tend to believe that they can use their words to get the charges dropped. However, anything and everything that you say can and will later be used against you. After being released from jail, make sure to avoid discussing your case with anyone or posting about it online. Only discuss your case with your lawyer.
Getting into Trouble
After getting released from jail, you want to maintain a clean slate by avoiding any further legal issues. You will want to continue your normal day-to-day routine as well as you can, and your attorney will provide you with any information that is needed to ensure that you show up to trial. If you get into trouble between the time you are released and your trial date, it will make it much more difficult for your lawyer to assist you.
Lying to Your Lawyer
You are unable to receive the best possible representation from your attorney if you do not trust your lawyer with all of the details of the situation. Your attorney is not there to judge you; instead, your attorney is there to be your legal advocate. In the event that you withhold important information from him or her, he or she is unable to know how to best proceed with your criminal case, which could negatively impact the outcome.
If you have been arrested and need legal aid, contact a criminal defense lawyer in your area.
Share
