5 Mistakes to Avoid When Facing Criminal Charges

A criminal record can negatively affect other aspects of your life. While facing criminal charges can be frightening and stressful, its consequences may be dire. You may lose or be denied employment, lose educational opportunities, or have issues looking for an apartment or renting a home.

However, knowing what to do and what you shouldn't when facing a criminal charge can help you avoid costly errors that could aggravate your case. Here are five mistakes to avoid when facing criminal charges.

1. Representing yourself

Representing yourself in a criminal case can be risky and a huge gamble, especially if you lack the necessary experience and skills. This puts you at a disadvantage by increasing the risk of self-incrimination, where you may say or do something that could hurt your case. You also lack investigative experience and resources, meaning you might not gather sufficient evidence to fight your case. Since you aren't a legal expert, representing yourself in court without a complete understanding of your legal rights may result in others infringing these rights without your realizing.

Criminal cases are complex. Handling such cases requires relevant expertise, knowledge, and training. With the help of the best criminal defense lawyer from a reputable law firm such as Liberty Law, you can easily navigate the complex legal system while alleviating self-representation stress. This increases your chances of getting acquitted or gaining a lower sentence.

2. Talking to the police

Once arrested, a police officer must inform you of your legal rights, including remaining silent and hiring a criminal defense attorney. You shouldn't willingly participate in an interview without legal representation because the officers can use whatever you say against you in a court of law. They can even twist what you say or take it out of context. Avoid talking to the police or making statements without your attorney's presence, and if you must speak to them, consult your lawyer over the phone first.

3. Reaching out to witnesses

Contacting witnesses when facing criminal charges isn't advisable. This is because your words to them may be used against you in court as allegations of witness dissuasion or intimidation. Talking to witnesses could be seen as tampering with evidence or testimonies to alter the jury's verdict or the case's outcome. While reaching out to a witness may not be ill-motivated, you shouldn't avoid it. If need be, your attorney should contact them.

4. Withholding or hiding information from your lawyer

Withholding information from your attorney can negatively impact your case. If you aren't completely open with your defense lawyer, they won't prepare fully to defend you in court. Admitting guilt or involvement in a criminal case won't influence your attorney into sabotaging your defense or deserting the case. It's their duty to ensure you get a fair trial regardless of your participation. Being honest with your lawyer helps them prepare to defend you better.

5. Talking to others about the case

Once you're charged with a criminal offense, you shouldn't discuss the case with others because you may divulge information that may be considered incriminating even though you're innocent. Friends and family members may be forced to testify against you, so don't discuss the case with other people until it's closed.

Endnote

What you do once charged with a criminal offense impacts the case or trial's outcome. Consider avoiding these mistakes when facing criminal charges to ensure a favorable outcome.

© 2023 Lawyer Herald All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of lawyerherald.com