What to Do If You’re Arrested for a Crime You Didn’t Commit?
Being falsely accused is the worst thing that can happen. Especially when criminal charges are present. It’s possible that your actions were misinterpreted, leading to your false accusations. Alternatively, you might have been in the wrong place at the wrong moment or with someone else who committed the crime.
No matter what happens, keep in mind that not all arrests result in convictions. It’s never easy or relaxing for you or your loved ones to be involved in the criminal justice process. If you are innocent, this will be especially difficult for you. Therefore, you must take all reasonable steps to defend your rights, beginning with contacting a skilled personal injury lawyer.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A person who provides legal assistance to those who have been hurt by accidents is called a personal injury attorney. Lawyers for personal injuries practice tort law. Both careless and planned actions are covered by this. If you’re wrongfully charged, they can fight for you.
For accident victims, they pursue compensation. This covers the cost of care, lost wages, lost earning ability, emotional pain and suffering, loss of partnership, loss of friendship, loss of enjoyment of life, and medical expenses.
Personal injury lawyers can provide you with advice on the most appropriate strategy to pursue when negotiating a settlement and defend your legal rights. When your personal injury lawyer and you talk about your case, they listen for details and information that needs more explanation and follow-up.
Falsely Accused of a Crime: What to Do?
- Don’t Say Anything
It’s important for you to understand that everything you say might be used against you in the trial. Any remarks you make from the moment you are arrested for a crime may be used as legal evidence against you to help the prosecution prove its case. Therefore, it’s crucial for everyone to refrain from speaking with police or other law enforcement officials without an attorney present, regardless of their innocence.
Your lawyer might determine that the best course of action is to take no action. You should wait to see if the prosecutor gathers the necessary proof to bring a case against you. There may not be any charges brought against you due to a witness regretting his statement or positive test results proving your innocence.
Other than your lawyer, nobody else should know the details of your case. If you are in jail, avoid discussing your charges with other inmates or with anyone on the phone. Stay away from social media as well. Anything you post on social media platforms can be used against you by the prosecution.
- Consult a Lawyer
Your freedom cannot be maintained by using your right to remain silent. Having a lawyer involved in your case is the best way to prove your innocence. If you don’t have one or can’t afford one, the court will assign one to represent you in court. Once you have a lawyer, you may tell them the truth and let them handle the rest.
You should think about a lawyer’s track record of success and experience with crimes comparable to your own when selecting one. A qualified attorney from your county will be able to represent you more effectively than one from another county as they are familiar with the local judicial system.
- Do not Oppose Arrest
It is crucial that you maintain composure and follow directions from the police if you are detained by them for a crime you did not commit. You will worsen the situation if you attempt to run or show any kind of resistance.
However, keep in mind that you are under no obligation to provide any information when you are arrested. You should accept your attorney’s advice if he encourages you to answer a certain question. Nevertheless, you are free to decline to answer if that’s what you prefer to do.
- Allow a Search Only if a Warrant Is Present
There are occasions when the police will show up at your home or place of work to examine your belongings. This is because they believe you to be somehow connected to a crime. In order to get entry, the authorities might use violence. Do not let the cops inside if they cannot provide you with a valid search warrant.
It’s not an admission of guilt if you refuse to let police search your property. You are aware that you did not break the law, so the government shouldn’t be searching your home. The police may occasionally discover something that is not actually connected to a crime but that they believe is.
It will be more difficult for you to establish your innocence if something like that is used against you. You should take full advantage of the legal protections available to you. If you are completely innocent, it is best to refuse to let anyone search your property without a valid search warrant.
Summary
When you are suspected of committing a crime, you need to take a moment to consider how severe the charges are. Furthermore, consider how they will affect your life if you are prosecuted and found guilty by the judge. Obviously, it is very stressful to be wrongly accused of a crime or prosecuted for one. In particular, when it is sudden.
If you find yourself in this situation, just taking the following two actions could help you: Before speaking with anyone, get legal advice, and hold onto any relevant evidence you may have. It is advisable to remove any evidence you believe could be used against you. By following this advice, you can ensure that justice is served in your case and that your rights are protected.
