Facing Criminal Charges? Here are Some Mistakes to Avoid

Being held on criminal charges can certainly be a headache to say the very least. It is worth mentioning that whatever life choices you have made, it is never too late to turn it around – criminal charges are avoidable. Committing yourself to a life of crime is not something that will bear fruit and will, as it always does, and ever has done, end in tears. However, with that said, just because you are facing criminal charges, it does not necessarily mean that you a career criminal, and you could be facing criminal charges for something that was simply a mistake.

As we are sure you have guessed from its title, this article will tell you how you can avoid any mistakes when facing criminal charges and how you can proceed through the criminal justice system as problem-free as possible. It is essential that you read this entire page so that you can ensure you can avoid getting yourself into more trouble and so that you can avoid rookie mistakes that are often made. So, you’re facing criminal charges? Here are some mistakes that you absolutely must avoid if you want to keep your freedom.

 

Don’t Run

If you’ve heard you’re facing criminal charges but have not yet been arrested, one of the worst things you can do is run. When they hear the police are looking for them, many people run for the hills, only to be arrested later down the road and have themselves remanded to the custody of a county jail and held without bail, simply because they ran. If you want to stay on the streets, let them come to you, or better, hand yourself in. Handing yourself in is an excellent way to argue for bail and show you are not running and hiding.

Say Nothing

Keep your mouth closed! Many people, experienced and not experienced, the minute they get in the interview room start babbling. You may feel compelled to argue or talk your way out of the situation, but we assure you, you mustn’t. No, instead, what’s best for you is that you keep your mouth closed, at least for the time being. You need to consult an attorney, which we will come to next, and find out how much evidence they have against you before you start saying anything. Many people have talked themselves into a conviction simply by saying more than the police knew.

Lawyer Up!

The first thing you need to do the minute you get into that police station – or if you have been given notice that you are going to be arrested – is to phone a lawyer. You cannot defend yourself, and rather, according to the legal experts of FighterLaw.com, you need someone to fight tooth and nail for you. Not only can a lawyer fight for you, but they can also negotiate with the police to get you out, file for bail, and find out what information and evidence the police have on you, and establish whether or not it is substantial enough to lead to a conviction.

Make a Phone Call

For some reason, many people do not seize the opportunity to make a phone call when arrested. If you have been arrested and are sat in a police station, remember your family and dependents may not know where you are. We recommend that you take the free phone call you are offered upon being walked into the police station. You should notify your family of your whereabouts, or at the very least, have the police tell your family or dependents of your whereabouts. If you or they do not, they can become worried sick, and you may be in there for some time.

Smart Comments

When we said keep your mouth closed, we really meant it – say nothing – at all – to anyone! Even little smart comments can be added to your file and can be used as evidence against you. For example, if you come out of the interview and say something smart like ‘You’ll never get me!’ – believe us, they will. Anything you say can and will be used against you; they even tell you as much! Keep your mouth sealed shut.

Don’t Trust a Soul

Remember, the police are not your friends, and instead, they intend on sending you to prison, or at the very least, adding a conviction to your record. Even if they seem like they have your best intentions at heart, they do not. Do not trust them, do not make an admission of guilt, and do not let them manipulate you into thinking they care about you. Trusting the police is a big mistake to make. Do not tell them anything, and do not let them fool you into thinking that they are on your side and want to help you.

Stories? We Don’t Think So

Some people think it appropriate when arrested to concoct an elaborate and vast explanation for why the crime took place, how, and who was involved [none of it being true, of course]. These vast, elaborate stories often wind up with the storyteller making a hiccup and making themselves look incredibly guilty. Some people even go as far as to tell their attorneys these stories. We recommend that you don’t, for you will just wind up incriminating yourself, leading to them convicting you.

You Can’t Hide

In addition to our earlier point of not running, do not try to hide either. If you are due to be brought up on criminal charges and the police are outside your door, hiding in the attic isn’t going to get you very far. Come out with your hands-on display and show them you’re not guilty! Trying to run, duck and hide will not get you off the hook, and in most cases, you will just add extra charges to your sheet and make your life more difficult. You cannot run, you cannot hide, and you cannot duck the police.

We hope to have explained a few mistakes not to make and a few things to do when you are being brought up on criminal charges on this page. Of course, there are many different potential criminal charges, all with varying levels of severity, but you know how to behave and act with this page.