People can become quite emotional when charged with a crime and that
is understandable. The natural response is to be confused, angry, and to
be defensive. Unfortunately, the authorities can see heightened
emotions as resistance and can even use anything said as evidence, even
if the words out of the defendant’s mouth meant something other than the
arresting officer states.
Due to the complexities of the legal system, the
presentation of evidence in a case, and the many areas within the law
that can help or hurt a case, an experienced Minneapolis criminal law
attorney can make a difference. While it is ideal to say nothing when
arrested, emotions can get the best of a person, which means it is a
must to have an attorney who will look at every nook and cranny within a
case, including the arrest process and how evidence was handled. It is
important to interview witnesses and do all that can be done to cast
doubt on the evidence that is presented.
What To Do When Arrested
When
arrested for a crime, there are certain things that need to be done.
The first is to stay as calm as possible. If innocent, know that
innocence will be defended. An experienced attorney is going to be able
to prove this innocence, so it is best to not say anything that could be
misconstrued as self-incrimination. Cooperation with the authorities
will go a long way.
The second thing to do is to call your
Minneapolis criminal law attorney. You do not have to talk to the
authorities until your attorney is present. When being questioned, your
attorney will guide you as to what questions you should answer and what
questions you shouldn’t. Unfortunately, some of the questions the
authorities ask are questions designed to make you admit guilt, even if
you are not guilty. With the proper guidance, you can answer questions
without giving them anything they can wrongfully use as evidence.
Defending Your Freedom
An
attorney who is intelligent, experienced, and aggressive is going to
work hard to achieve the right result. One of the first things your
attorney does for you is try to arrange for bail so that you can go
home. It is much easier for you to deal with the charges against you if
you do so from home with your family. It is best for you to try to move
forward with your life by going to work and engaging in activities that
can take your mind off of the charges. In the meantime, your attorney is
working to build your case. Evidence is being evaluated, any audio or
video tapes of the arrest are being reviewed, and reports are being
read. While looking at every aspect of the case, strategies are being
built so that you can have a strong defense when the case is presented
in court.
Overall, the most important goal is to make sure you
receive your freedom. Even if guilty of a crime, it is a must to seek
quality representation because even those that are guilty can receive
more successful outcomes than if they accepted the charges. Even if some
penalties must be paid, they can be out of the way quickly so life can
go on as soon as possible.