Being arrested often causes you to experience panic, fear, and stress in quick succession. As a result, you may not be thinking altogether clearly as you desperately try to explain yourself and your actions to police, in hopes of being released. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer can tell you, however, giving in to your panic and talking to the police is not advisable. It may lead to self-incrimination, which can make your defense to criminal charges far more damaging.
During the initial stages of your arrest, you should remain silent, beyond responding to fundamental questions about your identity. Trying to explain why you were at a specific location and what you were doing are strategies that are likely to give police more ammunition to use against you in a criminal prosecution. Your first and only question should concern your ability to call a lawyer to represent your interests. Even if you do not call an attorney initially, you should do so before you appear in court and enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest to the criminal charges that you are facing.
If you can post bail to gain your release following an arrest, you should take care to avoid any actions or statements that could cause you further problems. These actions include those that may incriminate you and those that could land you in more trouble with the law. While out on bail, you should resume your regular activities and avoid drawing attention to yourself, especially by avoiding any damaging social media posts.
Finally, you should make all efforts to work with your attorney to build a strong defense in your case. You should tell your lawyer the entire truth so that he or she can better handle your situation and defend your interests. When you hold information back from your lawyer, you can irreparably damage your defense, and that information often will come back to haunt you in the future.
Peek Law Group dedicates a large part of its practice to assisting individuals in resolving their criminal charges. We know that criminal proceedings can be intimidating and overwhelming for those who are facing potential penalties for criminal charges. We will work with you to achieve the most favorable outcome possible in your situation. Call our office today and set up a consultation with our skilled criminal defense attorneys today.