Never Wait To Contact A Criminal Defense Attorney

Time is not on your side if you have been accused of a crime. The sooner you hire a criminal defense attorney, the better. Ignoring the problem will not help make it go away and will in fact be a huge detriment to your case. A missing document, photograph, or witness can mean the difference between your freedom and a long sentence, so why take the risk? Exercise your right to silence and secure a qualified lawyer as soon as you are able. Not only will it help relieve the initial stress and fear once you talk to one and start to understand the process, but you’ll be greatly increasing your chances of a reduced sentence or a not guilty judgment.

Lost Evidence
You would be surprised how quickly some bits of important evidence that supports your case can get lost in the legal shuffle. Videotape footage, witnesses, photos, and samples from the scene can be damaged or go missing, giving the prosecution an upper edge against you. A criminal defense attorney needs time to examine the details as well, and if they are only able to see one side of the investigation, they won’t have much of a case to go by.

Forgotten Information
Your memory as well as any witnesses’, will be crucial for your criminal defense attorney to build a case. Small details can make a big difference, such as exactly what the police asked you during the arrest, what information, if any, that you provided, and any other parties involved. Often times it is just a matter of words that can transform a case and prove one’s innocence. If you wait to get in touch with a lawyer, not only are you risking forgetting valuable information or getting details confused, but any witness involved might also disappear or start losing their memory of the event as well, which can kill your case.

Protection
Your criminal defense attorney will also provide you with protection against pushy detectives or other parties that try to make you provide information or trip up on your words. It is important not to reveal information to others, including friends and family, about the case or else you can potentially put yourself in jeopardy. If you must talk about some detail or issue involving the arrest, leave everything for your lawyer. You have a right to refuse many requests from the law that you may not realize.

Research
Waiting until the last minute to choose your lawyer is like waiting to study for the SATs the night before. They won’t have time to prepare, research, and uncover the information needed to do your case justice. Even the most high priced, expert criminal defense attorney can’t prove the simplest of cases with only a couple of days of prep work. A lawyer needs time to research all angles, potential prosecution claims and arguments, and gather and interview experts and witnesses to properly deal with your case. You may be surprised at how quickly the case will arrive at court, so don’t be caught off guard.