We have a thought-provoking contributed post on what you need to know should you ever be charged with a crime. Crazy scenario for sure. But always good to know. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
The concept that you would ever be charged with a crime may seem like a ludicrous one, after all, you are a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen. However, the fact of the matter is that in reality, no one knows if they will end up breaking the law. Sometimes, we break the law without meaning to and end up in trouble because of it.
You may not want to consider what would happen if you were to accidentally break the law, but as the Scouts say, it’s best to always be prepared. So with that in mind, below is a guide to some of the steps that you should take, if you are ever charged with a crime, regardless of whether you are guilty or not.
Don’t say anything until you speak to a lawyer
The first and most important rule when you are charged with a crime is not to say anything until you have spoken to a lawyer. The fact is that the rights that you are read as you are arrested make it clear that anything that you say can be used as evidence against you, which means that when it comes what you say, it is vital that you are mindful. That’s why it is always recommended that you never say anything at all until you have a lawyer present to direct you in what you should say.
Research sentencing
If you have been arrested for breaking the law, you may be wondering what the future may hold for you. Will it simply be a slap on the wrists, a fine, or could it be something worse, such as jail time?
Unless you take the time to research the crime that you have been charged with and learn about sentencing guidelines, you won’t know what outcome your situation could have. If you aren’t able to research this yourself, ask a friend or family member to do it for you.
Gather any evidence
Do you have any evidence that you can use as proof of your innocence or proof that you did not realize that you were breaking the law? Take the time to carefully consider this, because any evidence that can help your case should be carefully taken into consideration.
Whether you have proof that your alibi is true because you were with another person, you have documents that prove you are innocent, or you have witnesses who are able to testify on your behalf, it is vital to gather evidence using this. It isn’t always easy to prove your innocence, but the more evidence you have, the easier it should be.
You may not want to think about what would happen if you were charged with a crime because it seems so unlikely, but the truth is that you never know what is around the corner, so being prepared for anything is vital. Even if you don’t think that the above advice is relevant to you or will ever be, it’s still worth having a read and taking note, just in case the worse should happen.
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