Take These Steps If You Are Being Charged With A Crime

If you find yourself in a situation where you may be in need of a New Haven criminal defense attorney you may be in a difficult spot, but you don’t have to be. While being charged with a crime may be a scary proposition you will want to keep a cool head and work through the process so, if you didn’t commit the crime, you can get to the bottom of the circumstances and clear your name. The key component to being successful at this is to stay calm.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your situation you will have a lot of things you will need to do in order to make sure you are staying with the guidance of the law and also making sure you are taking the steps necessary to have the best possible outcome for your situation. If you go against the steps you should be taking you may be causing yourself more, unnecessary, headaches that can make your situation worse.

The first thing you will want to do if you are being charged with a crime is to remain silent. This is a right afforded to anyone who is being accused of wrong-doing and you should exercise that right. You should avoid making any statements to law enforcement officers or prosecutors while you do not have an attorney present. When you do retain counsel and an attorney is present to speak on your behalf, you may follow the advice of the attorney that is there to help you protect your rights. Before you have your attorney present it is best to remain silent whether you are innocent or guilty of the crime you are being accused of committing.

In this vein, your second step after remaining silent, should be to retain a lawyer to provide you with guidance, protect your rights and work with you on developing a defense strategy to prove the case. You may not have a go-to attorney, so it is best to speak with multiple attorneys to understand what they can do for your situation and then go with the one that you feel will best represent you and your situation well in front of a judge or jury.

Once you have retained an attorney you will want to make sure you thoroughly understand the charges that are being levied against you. While your attorney should have a clear understanding of the charges, it is also critically important that you understand the charges as well. While your attorney can explain the details, don’t be afraid to ask questions and follow-up for any clarification. It is incumbent upon you to understand the charges so you can make the decisions that are best for you as the situation carries on over the course of the time you are dealing with it.

You will also want to make sure you attend any court hearings that are held. Your attorney can best advise you here, but you should always be on-time to the hearings and be both on your best behavior and dressed well so you present well to the judge and any jury that may be in attendance. You should attend all the hearings for your case including arraignments, pretrial hearings and the trial itself, if it gets to that point.

When you are charged with a crime and are in need of a New Haven criminal defense attorney you may be in a vulnerable position. The criminal justice system can be complex and stressful so you shouldn’t be afraid to do your best to slow it down and fully understand your situation. You will want to remain calm and rely on the expertise of your attorney to help you navigate the process. If you’re in need of an attorney to defend you against criminal charges, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office as any one of our attorneys has the experience needed to help you navigate the case.