Anyone who has ever been charged with a criminal offense understands the utter toll it can take on your life. Everything can seem like a whirlwind, leaving you in a state of disarray and confusion. Such is understandable, yet, it can also leave you vulnerable and susceptible to making mistakes that may hurt you in the future. Sometimes, the biggest danger to defendants are themselves. If you find yourself facing criminal charges, there are certain things you can do which may help better your case down the road. In this blog, we provide three tips for criminal defendants.
Do Not Resist Arrest. The first tip for any individual facing potential criminal charges is to not resist arrests. Being arrested, especially in instances where an individual is wrongly arrested, cause emotions to run high. As a result, sometimes individuals who are being arrested try to resist, or get away. This is a mistake. Even if you are wrongly arrested, do not resist, because it will only lead to you being potentially charged with an additional crime (i.e., resisting arrest). From a practical standpoint, resisting will only escalate the situation and ramp up emotions, which can only lead to negative consequences for you. Instead, as hard as it may be at times, remain cool, calm, and collected. Know that you will have your day in court to right any potential wrong.
Remain Silent. The next tip for any individual facing potential criminal charges is to not resist arrests. You have probably heard the phrase “you have the right to remain silent!” at some point in your life. Take those words to heart because exercising this right can be key to a successful criminal defense. If you are charged with a crime, the police are going to want to talk to you, and will try to get you to talk as much as possible. The best advice is to politely tell the police that you are invoking your right to remain silent, and you will answer no further questions without your lawyer present.
Be Open and Honest with Your Attorney. The final tip for any criminal defendant is to be open and honest with your attorney. While it is critical to invoke your right to remain silent with law enforcement officers, failing to tell your attorney any and all details of your case will only hurt your defense. Your attorney is on your side, and everything you tell your attorney is covered under attorney-client privilege. Thus, you should not fear that what you tell your attorney will be later used against you. Being open and honest will only help your attorney craft a winning defense on your behalf.
Going through a criminal trial is scary. Moreover, individuals often times feel alone or trapped when they find themselves in such situations. However, remember that you aren’t alone or trapped. You have rights and you have options. If you find yourself in trouble, skilled defense counsel is crucial to protect your rights. This blog is written by attorneys at Dixon & Moseley, P.C. who handle the full spectrum of criminal cases throughout Indiana. This blog is not intended as legal advice or a solicitation for services. It is an advertisement.