5 Proactive Steps to Take When Accused of a Crime
Being charged with a crime can be an overwhelming experience, casting a shadow of uncertainty over your future.
However, the actions you take immediately after being accused can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
The more proactive you are, the better.
- Get a Good Lawyer, and Fast
For starters, you need someone who knows the legal ropes. That means getting a lawyer who’s not only skilled but also knows a lot about the type of crime you’re accused of. The sooner you get a lawyer, the better they can start building a strong defense for you. (Plus, having a lawyer early on means you’ve got someone to give you solid advice right from the get-go, which can keep you from making mistakes that might hurt your case later.)
A lot of people make the mistake of waiting until law enforcement has interrogated them a couple of times or made an arrest to “lawyer up.” But as any good criminal defense attorney will tell you, you shouldn’t wait for law enforcement to make the first move.
Instead, you should consult with an attorney as soon as you’ve been contacted by law enforcement or sense there’s something brewing. This will give you a stronger advantage early on in the case.
- Talk Openly with Your Lawyer
Once you’ve got a lawyer, be honest with them. Like, really honest. Your lawyer’s job is to help you, and they can only do that if they know everything about your situation.
Think of it like being sick and going to the doctor. If you only tell them some of your symptoms, they can’t really help you. You have to open up and tell them about all of the symptoms and underlying factors in order for them to have the ability to properly diagnose and treat you. The same goes here. Your lawyer needs to know the good, the bad, and the ugly so they can defend you as best as they can. And don’t worry about them judging you – they’re there to defend you, not to be your judge.
- Gather Your Evidence
This step is super important. If there’s anything that can help prove your side of the story, you need to get it and keep it safe. This could be texts, emails, photos, or anything else that shows what really happened. Having all your evidence organized and ready can really help your lawyer when they’re putting together your defense.
Furthermore, there’s certain evidence that you might need to proactively track down. As criminal defense attorney Brian Walker points out, “If there’s body cam or dash cam recordings that support your case, the prosecutor isn’t going to introduce that evidence themselves. Your attorney will need to request it be brought to light.”
Concrete evidence is crucial to a case. Without objective, concrete elements that you can introduce into your defense, you become 100 percent reliant on verbal arguments and “he-said, she-said” statements.
- Understand What You’re Up Against
Knowing exactly what charges you’re facing and what could happen if you’re found guilty is helpful. This will allow you to determine which options are best when presented with them.
For example, if your lawyer asks whether you’re interested in potentially settling or going to trial, knowing the severity of the charges you face can help you weigh the pros and cons of each potential outcome.
Your lawyer can break down the charges for you, explain the possible consequences, and help you understand the legal process. This way, you’re not just going along for the ride; you can actually make educated decisions in your defense.
- Keep a Low Profile, Especially Online
Anything you say or do on social media can come back to haunt you, especially if you’re facing criminal charges. Social media is like a live reality show that’s constantly running. If you wouldn’t say something to a live TV audience of millions of people, you probably shouldn’t post it to your personal social media pages.
No matter how private you think your pages are, posts, images, videos, and statements that you make on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms will find their way into the prosecuting attorney’s files. It’s best to keep a low profile and think twice before posting anything. Sometimes, staying quiet is the best strategy.
Wrapping It Up
Being accused of a crime can turn your world upside down, but taking these proactive steps can help you navigate this tough time. Remember, the actions you take after being accused can really shape the outcome of your case. So, stay calm, get a good lawyer quickly, be honest with them, gather your evidence, understand the charges, and keep a low profile. This is the best path forward. It doesn’t guarantee your charges will be dropped or you’ll be found innocent, but it does give you the best chance of a positive outcome.
