Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you are facing criminal charges there are a lot of things that may run through your mind due to anxiety and fear. You are likely not a legal professional, so it is possible that you do not know what to do to protect yourself. Naturally, you want to do whatever you think will set you free but not everything works this way and you may in fact make your situation worse. The most important concern at the time you are facing an arrest or criminal charges, is whether or not you will go to jail, and for how long. To properly protect you, there are some things you must be aware of, and understand.
For starters, hire an attorney, like a Dekalb County attorney, as soon as possible. They will be able to inform you of your rights and give a projection of the possibilities of the direction your case may go. If you happen to be facing criminal charges it is not wise to discuss your case with anyone other than your lawyer. It may be very tempting, and hard not to but it is not wise as too many conversations about it can fog your memory of the truth. And who ever you do speak with, ensure that your conversations are not being recorded unless it has been authorized, this includes opposing counsel and anyone else involved in the case, this can backfire on you in the long run. If you happen to speak with law enforcement, remember while you do not wish to be recorded you should not bribe or try to defend yourself. You do not practice the law so it is very likely you may incriminate yourself unknowingly. Doing these things in the wrong manner will not be good for you, and will make the case of the prosecution that much easier. While you are facing charges, do not be tempted to commit other crimes.
While you do have an attorney and they will guide you every step of the way, keep a log of every detail that is pursuant to your case. A record of any conversation you may have had and what was said, as well as a record of your own evidence will benefit you in the end. Remember that you are not alone and there are skilled criminal defense attorney that can show you what to do and what not to do. Be honest with your attorney so that they may help you as much as possible. Criminal charges are scary, and a criminal record can be permanent, protecting yourself in the process is important.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into criminal defense.