Life is not fair at all times. You can find yourself in uncomfortable situations that might require you to call an attorney. Undoubtedly, getting accused of a crime that you did not commit can be an overwhelming experience. If you are on your own and you know that you are innocent, then despite the fact that you haven’t done anything wrong – navigating the law system can be overwhelming.
On that note – if you ever find yourself in such a position, get yourself a lawyer right away. Make sure to get a reputable and well-experienced lawyer who understands the system inside out when you face any of the following situations:
You Are Falsely Accused of A Crime
Get yourself a criminal defense attorney when you are accused of a crime that you did not commit. Of course, this is one of the most obvious reasons to have a lawyer by your side. It doesn’t matter whether it is a minor offense or a smear campaign that you know is being spread against you.
For instance, you might be a college student, and someone from your acquaintances or ex-partners might be telling people that you have assaulted them, which can not only damage your reputation but also lead to serious consequences. In this case, you need an attorney by your side to act as an advisor and help you remain strategic while handling the situation and criminal charges.
You Are Arrested by the Police
Another potential reason why you might need a criminal defense attorney by your side is when you find yourself in a situation where you have been arrested by the police. Now, getting arrested is nothing less than a traumatic experience. But during these times, you must remember that you have rights, including the right to remain silent and get a lawyer.
At the time of your arrest, you will be doing yourself a great favor by cooperating with the police and complying with the orders. Remain polite and do not argue. Remember that whatever you say can be used against you later.
You Are Potentially Facing Serious Consequences
You must also hire a criminal defense attorney if you are in a situation where you can face serious legal consequences, including the following:
- Heavy fines
- Criminal record
- Jail time
Usually, people make the mistake of believing that they can represent their case themselves because they know that they haven’t done anything wrong, so the truth will be on their side. Now, the thing is that you only know that you are innocent, but you need to prove your innocence in court. Since you aren’t familiar with how the court system works and what the law is – it is in your best interest to get a lawyer who ensures that your rights are protected.
By hiring an experienced lawyer, you will have a professional by your side who will not only represent your case in court but negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf to ensure that the false charges are dropped.
Your Reputation is Damaged
Another reason you might want to get in touch with a lawyer is if you are accused of crimes, the consequences of which are severe enough to damage your reputation for good. If your reputation is damaged, you might face serious consequences, such as getting a job, getting a place to live, renting an apartment, or getting enrolled in a college, school, or institute.
Having a criminal record comes with serious consequences. Now, you might have gotten involved in something that wasn’t your fault at all – but – you have a criminal record as a result, which can greatly affect the quality of your life.
This is where the importance of hiring a criminal lawyer comes in. The lawyer will not only protect your reputation but also prevent you from getting convicted.
You Need Legal Advice
By now, you already know that the legal system is complex. It can be incredibly challenging to deal with the complex legal system without an attorney by your side. This aspect is specifically true if this is your first time getting convicted and you are unfamiliar with the internal aspects of a legal system.
With the help of a legal attorney, you get to navigate the legal landscape successfully. Keep in mind that despite the fact that you know that you are innocent, you don’t have to deal with things alone. Just contact a criminal defense attorney as your guide who will strategically assist you on every step.
Things That Can Worsen Your Case
Now, if you find yourself in a situation where you might feel the need to reach out to the accusers and argue with them or explain to them, you should not do this at any cost.
Also, do not apologize to your accusers out of sympathy or because they have been successful at guilt-tripping you. Keep in mind that whatever you do or say can be used against you, including an apology that can be interpreted as a confession of misconduct.
Make sure to maintain all sorts of evidence, including the following:
- Phone calls
- DMs
- Emails
- Pictures
- Videos
One of the worst things you can do is to delete or remove anything that can work as powerful evidence that your attorney can use to make your position stronger and ensure that you win the case and that the false charges against you are dismissed.
Speaking of an attorney, make sure that you don’t delay getting an attorney, as the attorney will work in your best interest and protect your rights at all costs.
Final Thought
If you get accused of a crime – hire a criminal defense lawyer right away. However, make sure that you understand the context of the crime first. Preserve the much-needed evidence and ensure that you don’t confront the police or the accusers or talk about your case on social media. Facing criminal charges can be an overwhelming experience to the point that it might alienate you. Do not feel alone, and understand that with the help of an attorney, the truth will be on your side.
