Remember when your brother used to drop candy jars and accuse you of doing that or when someone copied your homework, but you got the punishment? It must have broken your heart.

Being falsely accused of a legal offense can feel a hundred times worse. Although it’s a nightmare, it is necessary to stay careful and avoid making common mistakes that could further complicate your case or even worse, prove you guilty. 

Here are seven pieces of advice that you must follow to keep yourself out of the trap that your enemies might have spread for you. 

Use a Court-Appointed Attorney

You might feel helpless when falsely accused and go with whatever is being offered to you to regain your lost image, but it is compulsory to hire someone whom you can trust and not just any court-appointed attorney. 

Do not forget that your freedom and reputation are at stake. That’s why hiring a dedicated criminal defense attorney is paramount. Their experience will help in making the outcome in your favor. 

FUN FACT
This graph shows the number of lawyers in the United States of America by the year 2022.

Talk to the Witnesses

Being falsely accused can put you in a position where you would want to talk to other people involved in the case to prove your innocence, but it is the biggest mistake an accused can make. What you say to others can be manipulated and used as evidence against you.

So, it is advisable to maintain distance from every contact associated with the case till the case ends or for the entire lifetime.  

Volunteer in DNA Testing

Showing cooperation with forensics during alcohol or drug testing is a good practice, but you need to be cautious before submitting to any other tests.

Ensure reputable professionals conduct the tests to maintain the integrity of the evidence. For instance, samples collected during DNA testing can be tampered with and used against you. 

If your DNA gets manipulated or structured in their favor, there would hardly be any chances left that would be able to save you from the consequences. 

Speak in the Absence of Your Attorney

Anything you say to law enforcement officers or to the plaintiffs can be used against you. You should only speak when your attorney is present and asks you to put your point forward, or else stay silent. 

Interestingly, US law provides the right to remain silent in certain situations. In the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, this right is provided to suspects for an equal and fair judgment process.

Post Bail Without Consulting Your Attorney

Going to jail for a crime you didn’t commit can impact you in so many ways and you would want to come out of it as soon as possible, but it is wise to stay patient.

If you’re falsely charged and arrested for the same, it’s paramount to consult with your attorney before posting bail, as posting bail without their input might lead to unwanted consequences. 

INTERESTING FACT BASED ON STATISTICS
The number of unconvicted people in U.S. jails has increased by 59%, accounting for 95% of the total increase in jail populations.

Miss the Court Appearance

Understandably, you might not be ready to appear in public after being charged for something you didn’t do, but this reason won’t work with law enforcement for missing the court date.

If some genuine issues are stopping you from appearing in court, you can ask your attorney if they can attend on your behalf or reschedule the hearing. 

But remember not to ignore when you’re called to court because it is a crime known as “Failure to appear.” 

Discuss Your Case

Whereas a hard time, as being charged legally and falsely can make you long for a conversation with someone who would listen to how you feel about it. It is safe not to discuss your case with anyone other than your attorney.  

The prosecution or the opposing party would do anything to prove you wrong, even if it means twisting your words for their good. 

This is why the only person you should talk to about your case is your attorney because your attorney can’t reveal the confidential conversations you had and even if he does, the court can’t use it against you. 

Conclusion

A tough test requires you to be patient and wise to excel in it. Being falsely accused is one of those tests. Whereas it is a traumatic experience, these guidelines will help you navigate it swiftly. Apart from these guidelines, also follow what your attorney says.




Related Posts
×