There are few things more nerve-wracking than getting arrested by the police. Whether you have been arrested for a petty crime or a felony, being charged with a crime can negatively affect your life in several ways. For example, you could lose your job or strain your relationships with family and friends. However, it is important to remain calm. If you panic, you could make mistakes that could hurt your case. Here are six mistakes you must avoid when you are arrested.
Don't Resist Arrest
Even if you are wrongly accused of a crime, you should never try to resist arrest. Attempting to run away or even argue with a police officer will put you in more trouble than you are already in. If the judge finds out that you tried to resist arrest, he or she may give extra charges. To avoid any extra hassle, go quietly and listen to everything the police officer tells you.
Don't Give Any Information to the Police
After you've been detained, the police will likely ask you some questions regarding your case. They may be very friendly and assure you that they are there to help you. However, you should under no circumstances volunteer any information about your case. Even if you are innocent, the police may use tactics to get you to confess to the crime. The information you tell the police could be used against you later in court. That's why it is best to keep quiet until you speak to a lawyer.
Don't Wait Too Long to Hire a Criminal-Defense Attorney
One of the most important things you should do after you get arrested is to hire a good criminal-defense attorney. An experienced lawyer will help you get the best possible outcome with your case and will also be there to support you. If you are guilty of the crime you are charged with, you might think it is pointless to hire a lawyer. This is the wrong way to think. Even if you are guilty of a crime, your lawyer can still help you get a shorter sentence by addressing certain factors to the judge. For example, if you were charged with a DUI, you might hesitate to tell the judge about your alcohol addiction. An experienced lawyer, however, would use this factor to your benefit and possibly convince the judge to consider rehab instead of jail.
Don't Try to Hide Anything from Your Lawyer
If you want your attorney to do the best possible job, it is important to tell him the entire truth about your case. Don't leave any details out, even if you are embarrassed about them. A good criminal-defense attorney is there to help you, not to judge.
Don't Take the Prosecutor's First Plea Deal
When you are faced with criminal charges and have to go to court all the time, you may be tempted to accept the first plea deal the prosecutor offers. Don't make this mistake. The first plea bargain the prosecutor offers likely isn't a good one. It is best to give things time and allow your lawyer to negotiate a more favorable deal with the prosecuting attorney.
Don't Share Details About Your Case with Your Friends
It's not a good idea to share details about your case with your friends, no matter how much you trust them. If your friends were subpoenaed, they would be required to tell the court what you told them about you case.
Getting charged with a crime is never a walk in the park, but you can make things easier on yourself. If you avoid making these common mistakes, your case will go by much more smoothly.
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