4 Tips for Getting Legal Help if You are Charged With a Crime
Being accused of a crime can be a terrifying experience to live through. You may be innocent. Authorities may have the wrong idea about what occurred entirely. However, even in such a situation, you must try to stay rational. What you do next can determine how the rest of your life plays out. It may even determine whether you stay free or go to prison. Overall, you need to obtain legal help. Below are four tips for getting legal help if you are charged with a crime.
Remain Silent and Ask to Speak to a Lawyer
The first step to getting the right legal help for your criminal case is exercising your right to a lawyer in regards to your interactions with law enforcement. Even if you think you are innocent, what you say and do while being questioned by the police can be used against you in a court of law. What you need to do is indicate that you are using your right to remain silent and wish to talk to a lawyer before answering any questions or cooperating. This right should, in fact, be read to you as a “Miranda warning.” Miranda rights include the rights to be silent, to not incriminate yourself and to speak to a lawyer. Certainly invoke these rights as quickly as possible during any interactions with law enforcement. Even if you think you are competent enough to explain your story to the police, you could end up making mistakes that cost you in the end.
Find a Specialist
Your next concern should be finding the right lawyer. The lawyer you used for your divorce or some other civil matter is probably not the right choice. That lawyer may have an understanding of criminal law. However, if they don’t have direct experience with criminal cases, they may end up being overwhelmed by the prosecution. In fact, you should specialize even further. You should find a lawyer that has experience in defending clients accused of the same kind of crime you have been. If you have been accused of shoplifting in North Carolina, for example, you should look for North Carolina criminal defense attorneys that specialize in shoplifting cases. If they have a good track record of defending clients accused of shoplifting, you will have a much better chance of succeeding in court as opposed to if you chose a lawyer without that kind of experience.
Be Honest and Help Your Attorney
When speaking to a criminal defense attorney, you need to try to be as honest as you can be with that lawyer. Go over everything that lead up to the criminal accusation in as much detail as you can. You should mention everything. This even includes details that may be embarrassing or put you in a negative light. If you don’t, the prosecution may bring up these same facts during the trial. However, if your attorney does know all the facts, they will be able to better prepare for whatever is turned up in court. Instead, that attorney will be able to craft the best defense possible to help you avoid a conviction. If you are actually guilty, you should let your lawyer know as well. It is their job to put up the best defense possible. Your guilt is irrelevant to their role in the legal system.
Do What Your Lawyer Says and Remain Quiet
In addition to divulging all the facts to your lawyer, you should also be sure to follow all of your lawyer’s advice. That’s why they are there. You may feel the need to defend yourself in public. However, if your attorney disagrees, you should do as they say and remain quiet. Don’t go beyond what your lawyer has told you do to in public or private. For example, discussing the case with your family members is probably a very bad idea unless your attorney says it is appropriate.
If you want to stay out of prison after being accused of a serious crime, you need the appropriate legal representation. Invoke your Miranda rights and try to find a specialist with experience with your kind of criminal case. Be honest with your lawyer and follow all of their advice. If you do so, you will greatly increase your chances of winning your case and keeping your freedom.