How to Protect Your Rights When Facing a Criminal Charge
It’s safe to say (and that’s surely an understatement) that facing a criminal charge can be very traumatizing, scary, and to a lot of people, life-changing. And this doesn’t refer only to the people who are guilty, but to those who aren’t as well.
Even though this may sound like “easier said than done”, what you need to do for starters, is to keep calm because panicking is not going to lead you anywhere. You need to carefully think things through before you take any further steps.
It doesn’t matter if you are already arrested, or you are currently being investigated, what matters is to be proactive and do whatever you can to effectively navigate this whole situation. So what’s supposed to be done in these types of situations? Scroll below to find out more!
Having A Legal Representation Is Mandatory!
Bear in mind that this is a serious matter and that it certainly wouldn’t be wise if you took things lightly. If you want to ensure your rights and freedom are safeguarded the right way, then you must hire a criminal defense lawyer.
Don't forget that this legal expert has a plethora of experience when it comes to this and they have a solid understanding of how the entire legal system works (unlike you). And that's of huge importance when you're focusing on developing a high-quality defense strategy.
If God forbid, you are already found guilty, your advocate is going to do whatever is in their power to lower the penalty as much as possible. Now, since we're talking about a very serious situation, you need to be careful when selecting a criminal defense solicitor.
What does it mean then? It means that you should pick the one who instills confidence in you. Based on numerous online reviews, you can find all of this in a criminal defense attorney in Denver, and in Colorado in general. Therefore, if you reside in this city, then be sure to do your homework to see if there's any lawyer who's available and is eager to help you get the best outcome.
Do Not Say Anything To The Police
Although this is a widely known fact, hardly anyone does this. Namely, a lot of people get scared and start explaining and justifying themselves when police ask them questions. But that’s a completely wrong approach.
Keep in mind that you won’t accomplish anything by doing so. On the contrary. Giving out any type of information in regard to any accusation or yourself can only make things worse. If they approach you, you should immediately let them know that you’re not going to talk to them without the presence of your attorney.
Don’t Forget That There’s The Fifth Amendment
Speaking of silence (that was mentioned in the previous paragraph) one of the things that you can resort to in these instances, is the Fifth Amendment, which means that you have every right to stay silent, which means that nobody can ever force you to testify against anybody, and, simultaneously, incriminate yourself.
That’s something that you should do when facing criminal charges. Don’t forget that you should never admit these things:
That you have committed a crime
That you have been partially involved in a crime
That you are associated with any criminals
As concluded above, even if you are guilty, you shouldn’t admit anything until your advocate arrives, otherwise, you can seriously jeopardize your current situation.
You Must Collect All The Relevant Evidence
That’s something that your lawyer will probably tell you, but it still doesn’t hurt to put it here to serve as a reminder. Namely, it’s of huge importance when facing a criminal charge to collect as much relevant evidence as you can, because, by doing so, you'll build a strong defense.
In these instances, you should collaborate with your attorney so they can help you determine which evidence is most critical and can contribute to your case. In most instances, this includes things like surveillance footage, witness testimonies, opinions from professionals, and many others.
Keep always in mind that the more evidence you gather, the better your chances are at winning in court.
What To Do During The Trial?
If your case goes to trial, then there are a number of things that you must do that can impact your case in the most positive way and they include the following:
Pay attention to the way you dress and behave – If you want to leave a good impression, and, concurrently, showcase how serious you are about your case, and that you are willing to cooperate, then you must behave normally, and dress appropriately.
Focus on everything that’s been said – During trial, you’ll probably be asked lots of questions that are related to the charges, and your case in general. You must listen to all of them carefully, and above all, be honest when responding to them. Now, a lot of people feel very scared and uncomfortable in these instances, which totally makes sense, however, if you want the judge and jury to take you seriously, then you must stay as calm as possible during interrogation.
Rely on your solicitor – One of the biggest supports you’ll have during this difficult time is undeniably your attorney. You should never doubt their strategies and advice, hence whenever they advise you on something, you should listen to them.
Focus On Yourself
Even though you’ve never been in a similar situation like this one and you are probably devastated right now, it’s essential to focus on yourself and your well-being, otherwise, you’ll fail miserably.
Therefore, one of the best things that you can do is to surround yourself with people who support you, such as your friends, family, and, of course, your advocate as well. They are going to be there with you every step of the way and help you cope with anything negative that may come along the way.
Although you are currently going through some rough times, don't ever forget that something like this can never define you as a person and that you must find a way to move forward with your life.