Mistakes to Avoid When Facing Criminal Charges
Being arrested and accused of a crime can be a deeply intimidating experience. You may be worried about your family, your job and your reputation. Unfortunately, the situation can get even worse if you make certain mistakes after being arrested. Some mistakes can mean you end up being found guilty or facing harsher penalties.
3 Common Mistakes After Being Arrested
The most common mistakes people make after being arrested or charged include:
1) Talking. You have the right to remain silent, and you should absolutely exercise your right. Many people get nervous when they’re arrested and worry that remaining silent is an admission of guilt. That is not true, however. When you answer police questions without any legal counsel, you are literally giving the police evidence they can use against you. Even if you make very innocent statements, they can be turned against you.
2) Assuming your innocence will set you free. You may not have committed a crime, but that doesn’t automatically mean you won’t be found guilty. It is the job of the police to find evidence against you or to get you to confess. Even if you think the charges against you have no basis in fact at all, take the matter seriously.
3) Resisting. Whether you talk back to a police officer, try to flee from authorities or fail to show up in court, any sort of resistance can work against you. Try to stay calm and work on clearing your name or addressing the charges with the help of a qualified attorney.
Mistakes After Getting a DUI
Being charged with a DUI is different than being charged with other types of crime. This type of arrest can affect your ability to drive and even hold down certain jobs. Common mistakes after a DUI arrest include:
1) Continuing to drive. If your license has been revoked, do not get behind the wheel of a car. It may be inconvenient if you have to run errands or get to work, but if you are caught driving without a license, the penalties against you will be very severe.
2) Take steps to address any underlying issues. If you’ve been arrested on more than one DUI or have a hard time controlling your drinking, consider treatment. It can show you’re serious about stopping your behaviors and can help you avoid further arrests.
3) Talking about the case with anyone. Making comments about drinking or discussing your case on social media or with your friends can be a problem. People in your life may act as witnesses at the trial, so anything you share with them may end up hurting your case.
One of the big mistakes to avoid after a DUI or any arrest is not seeking the correct support. If you need a defense attorney because you have been arrested, contact MPL Law. With more than 25 years of trial experience, our attorneys understand what it takes to defend a client. We take the time to listen to each client and to get to know the circumstances that have led them to our offices. We understand an arrest is often a highly-charged time, and we do all we can to fully support you during this difficult period.
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