If you ask most people to jot down nightmare scenarios, one of them would be getting arrested.
No one wants to have the cops come to their home, read them their Miranda Rights, place them in handcuffs, load them into the cramped back seat of a cop car, and haul them to a police station.
Living a life in compliance with the laws of the land can decrease your odds of encountering such a scenario. But doing the right thing doesn’t always guarantee life will be a rose garden. Sometimes, stuff happens.
Whether you successfully avoid behavior that can lead to an arrest or make errors that beckon the long arm of the law, you might find yourself in a situation that warrants hiring a lawyer. And if the alleged offense brings about criminal charges, you need a good criminal defense attorney.
If you need to defend yourself against criminal charges, here are three things a criminal defense attorney can do to help get you out of a sticky situation.
- You’ve Been Arrested or Charged With an Offense
Retaining a lawyer makes sense if you’re placed under arrest or charged with a criminal offense. So, if the police charge you with fraud, theft, assault, or any other criminal offense, you should contact a criminal defense attorney to get legal representation.
What you don’t want to do is choose the self-representation path since it only works out well on the small screen or big screen.
You also need to avoid saying too much to the police since what you say can and will be used against you in court. Contrary to what you may think, it’s never in your best interests to answer too many questions or agree to an interrogation. The legal authorities are trained to get information out of suspects, and you might end up saying something that incriminates you, even if you’re innocent.
Other than identifying yourself when asked by the police, you should immediately request the opportunity to hire a lawyer before agreeing to answer any more questions.
- You’re Facing a DUI
Despite the dangers presented by driving under the influence (DUI), far too many motorists get behind the wheel after drinking.
One source says 6.4 out of 1,000 motorists in America in 2024 had a DUI on their driving records. A DUI is, indeed, a criminal offense. If charged with a DUI, you could face fines, probation, jail time, community service, driver’s license revocation or suspension, or other possible penalties. So, it’s nothing to take lightly.
If facing such charges, you’ll need a criminal defense attorney to help achieve the best outcome. Otherwise, you could face consequences that could cost you your freedom.
- You’re Under Criminal Investigation
Sometimes, the legal authorities might wish to question you as a suspect in an alleged crime — even if they haven’t filed charges against you. The police might insist that they merely want to ask you some questions, but doing so without a lawyer in your corner is the wrong move.
A lawyer will sit with you through the interrogation, advise you about questions to avoid answering, stop you before you say something that might be self-incriminating, and even call an end to the interrogation when it seems best to do so. A good criminal defense attorney will ensure your rights aren’t violated during the legal process and, if you’re charged, build a case to give you the best chance of avoiding a negative outcome.
As you can see, there are times when hiring a lawyer makes sense. While the goal is to avoid scenarios where hiring a criminal defense lawyer is needed, knowing what to do if a nightmare scenario unfolds is a good thing.
