You’re a law-abiding citizen who would never commit a crime on purpose. But, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now you stand accused of breaking the law!
A shocking number of Americans have a criminal record. One study found that about 30% of Americans have at least one criminal offense on their record.
But, what can you do to beat this bogus charge and keep it off your record? Keep reading for our best tips and tricks to help you when you’re accused of a crime.
Hire an Attorney
As soon as you can after an arrest, you need to call a few lawyers so you can choose one to defend you in court. You can do a brief phone interview and get an idea of who you click with the most.
Make sure you’re hiring an attorney who specializes in the type of crime you’re accused of. A lawyer who handles traffic court won’t know as much about getting you off the hook for manslaughter. Check out https://www.orlando-criminaldefensefirm.com/orlando-sex-crimes-attorney for a great sex crime attorney if you’re accused of a sex offense.
Investigate
Once you have a lawyer, they will help guide you in finding all the evidence of your innocence. You may need to do interviews of witnesses or do some digging for paperwork.
Also, look into discrediting the accuser. Showing that they aren’t honest or that they aren’t a reliable witness is a great way to get the judge on your side.
File a Civil Suit for Malicious Prosecution
Another step you might take is filing a countersuit against your accuser. You can file a suit for malicious prosecution if:
- They filed a frivolous claim against you
- They filed the lawsuit to harass you
- And you suffered damages as a result of their claim
That way, it discourages people from making false claims and using the legal system to attack other people.
What Not to Do When You’re Accused of a Crime
One thing you don’t want to do is lash out at the police or other authorities in anger. That’s a sure way to get extra charges thrown on top of what you already have.
Also, resist the urge to lash out or contact the person who accused you. The person accused of a crime and their accuser should only contact each other through their lawyers.
An Accusation Isn’t a Conviction
If you know you’re innocent, then you have very little to worry about. Innocent people don’t get convicted of crimes they didn’t commit.
But, it’s important to do the right things after you’re arrested to make sure you don’t look guilty. Keep these tips in mind and your lawyer can take it from there.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned about what to do after you’re accused of a crime. If you’re looking for more informative articles about lifestyles, politics, business, and much more, check out the rest of our blog today!
