Being wrongly accused of a crime can turn your world upside and leave your mind racing. However, it’s very important that you don’t act rashly or impulsively after finding out you’ve been accused of a crime. Take a breath, collect your thoughts and follow these tips if you are ever falsely accused of a crime.
When You’re Falsely Accused
If you find out that you are being accused of a crime by the alleged victim or the police, there are a few steps you’ll want to take to put yourself in the best position to beat the charges. Here’s what you’ll want to do:
1. Be Quiet – Unless there is an obvious misunderstanding, like police have confused you for someone else, don’t open your mouth and try to talk your way out of the situation. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court, and it’s much more likely that you’ll make things worse for yourself by trying to talk your way out of the situation. You’ll get to explain your side of the story, but right now isn’t the best time.
2. Hire A Lawyer – If you’re falsely accused, you’re going to want a professional in your corner to help prove your innocence. Even if you think you have a clear case, you may not be familiar with the ins and outs of the legal system, and the prosecution will take advantage of this. Make sure that you have a lawyer by your side who can help you put forth a strong defense.
3. Save Evidence – If you have any proof of your innocence or information that may be relevant to your case, make sure that you save this evidence. Sometimes text messages are automatically deleted after a set amount of time, so make sure any messages are saved, especially if you are dealing with a case against a former spouse or an ex. Anything that helps your case or could help to pick the prosecution’s case apart should be saved.
4. Stay Out Of Additional Trouble – Keep your head down while you’re waiting for your case to play out. Getting in trouble can send the wrong message about your first case, so make good choices and don’t give anyone a reason to believe you have a history of poor decision making.
5. Witness Contact Information – If there are any people or witnesses who can testify to your innocence or your character, make sure that your lawyer has their contact information. When it’s your word versus someone else’s, it can be very helpful to have a third-party confirm your story or speak to your character.
If you have been wrongly accused or find yourself needing legal defense, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
