Being arrested and charged with a crime can be traumatizing and stressful, to say the least. If you are accused of a crime, it is important to understand that your case begins the moment law enforcement begins investigating you for the crime in question.
What you do or say when facing a criminal charge can have a profound effect on the outcome of your case. As such, it is in your very best interest that you avoid these two costly mistakes as soon as you learn that the police are investigating you for a crime.
Resisting a lawful arrest
Depending on the circumstances, the police may arrest you with or without a warrant. It is not uncommon for a suspect to attempt to fight back when they feel the police is violating their rights or are arresting them without cause. In fact, some people even try to flee from the police.
However, it is important to understand that trying to resist or flee from a lawful arrest will only compound your problems. Resisting or fleeing the police will only lead to further charges. If you feel the police are violating your rights, be sure to tell your legal counsel about this. Do not resist an arrest or flee from the police.
Talking too much
Most often, the arresting officer will inform you about your Miranda rights during the arrest. If the police inform you about your right to remain silent, it is in your best interest that you take this advice seriously.
Trying to “explain yourself” out of trouble is a bad idea that might come back to haunt you during your trial. Just avoid it. And if the police are trying to ask incriminating questions, just tell them that you are not ready to make any statement in the absence of your legal representative.
A criminal charge can impact your life in a variety of ways. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and defend yourself when facing a criminal charge.