Facing criminal charges can be a scary and overwhelming time. Whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, it could impact your life profoundly. Unfortunately, when you are going through such a stressful time, you might make mistakes that could jeopardize your case and future. Below is an outline of five common mistakes you should never make when facing criminal charges. Take a look!
1. Talking to the Police
Once you get arrested, the wisest thing is not to talk with the police. The officer is obliged to inform you of your rights to remain silent and have a lawyer. But even if they don’t do that, avoid saying anything until you have a lawyer. Your explanation can be construed as an admission of guilt or an attempt to deceive law enforcement.
2. Reaching Out to an Alleged Victim
You might think you can convince the person who has accused you of a crime to change their mind. Perhaps you think it’s all a misunderstanding, and you can solve things with a conversation. However, talking to an alleged victim is a bad idea, as the police might interpret that as an attempt to intimidate a potential witness, which will not help your case.
3. Posting Online
Posting on social media has become the new normal. However, you might want to stay off social media when facing criminal charges. Even if you think that whatever you want to share with your online community is unrelated to the alleged offense, you never know how that can be used against you.
4. Not Showing Up to Court
Your character will be on trial – so you have to protect it. That means showing up to court when you are supposed to. That also means showing up on time and using polite language in the courtroom.
5. Waiting Too Long to Call a Lawyer
Many people wait until they have been arrested or prosecuted before involving a lawyer. However, the best thing to do is call a lawyer as soon as you realize you’re a suspect. Sometimes, calling a lawyer sooner might spare you from formal charges.
Contact Criminal Defense Expert
Miltenberger Law Offices is a top criminal law expert with over 10 years of experience. The firm’s leading lawyer, Cody, has extensive experience in DUI cases, drug charges and domestic violence cases. He is always available to his clients and is incredibly responsive. Contact the law firm today for more details.
