Have You Been Falsely Accused of a Crime? You Need to Take These Critical Six Steps

Falsely Accused of a CrimeBeing wrongful accused of a crime can be devastating. Aside from the hassle of having to go through the Florida court process, it can also be damaging to your reputation to be accused of committing a crime.

Unfortunately, this situation happens more often than you might expect. Sometimes the police, for example, might arrest the wrong individual and sometimes an innocent person can even be convicted in court and face serious penalties.

It can be very disheartening to consider being locked away for a crime that you never committed.

This is why it is essential to hire a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer to assist you.

There are six key steps that you can take in the event that you have been falsely accused of a crime in Florida.

Collect Evidence

All of the physical evidence that helps to support you being falsely accused is relevant.

This can consist of photos, video, clothing and any other object that is in any way related to the incident.

Likewise, if you have an alibi for that night or substantial evidence that may indicate you could not have committed the crime, you want to present this to your attorney.

Organize Any Documents

All records and documents associated with the alleged incident should be organized in chronological order.

This can include financial records, GPS records, computer records, electronic correspondence and more.

Presenting this in an organized fashion to your Jacksonville criminal defense attorney can help you determine your next steps and how this may fit into your defense strategy or potential appeal in the event that you have already been convicted.

Put Together a List

Make a comprehensive list of all evidence that was collected from the crime scene that you are aware of.

You will not be able to remove any evidence from a crime scene, but making a list of everything that you saw being taken from the scene could become relevant.

Often times in a defense case for an individual accused of crime, it can all boil down to various details pulled from your own recollection and organization.

Being organized and considering all the possible facts opens you up to the best possible chance for identifying an appropriate strategy to protect yourself.

List Witnesses

Any possible witnesses who may have been around you or around the person you believe would have information about the incident should be compiled in a list.

If you do not have the current contact information for a witness, now is a good opportunity to attempt to acquire it.

You may be under the impression that the police officers are doing everything in their power to consider all evidence.

In fact, this is part of their sworn duty to identify all evidence that could help to catch the true criminal, not just evidence that supports your being convicted.

Unfortunately, you cannot always count on the police officers to protect your interests and you may need to be working on your case on your own with the help of a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney.

Do Not Speak Out About the Case or Give Evidence

Avoid speaking to any law enforcement officials without your Jacksonville criminal defense attorney being present.

Likewise, you should not submit to any kind of testing or give any evidence to law enforcement officers without first consulting your attorney.

The police may lead you to believe that they are concerned about protecting you and that you will be awarded for cooperating with them.

Unfortunately, giving up your right to remain silent can have devastating consequences.

If you make statements that could be interpreted as indications of your guilt, for example, it can be very difficult to overturn these down the line. Do not hesitate to use your right to remain silent.

Hire an Experienced Attorney

An experienced Jacksonville criminal defense attorney can have a big impact on the outcome of your case.

In the event that you have been falsely accused of a crime, you need an attorney who believes in you and who is willing to work hard for the best possible outcome for you.

A committed attorney will develop a comprehensive defense strategy designed to help you avoid penalties and declare your name. To learn more about how an attorney can help, contact a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney today.

Don’t handle a criminal charge on your own. Learn why you need a lawyer in this blog: http://www.mariarogerslaw.com/why-do-i-need-a-criminal-defense-attorney/#more-224