Have you been arrested? If so, and if you are facing charges, you need a lawyer’s support. Until you have a trained attorney by your side, you should not attempt to talk to the police. A very common tactic of law enforcement is to coerce people accused of criminality into making incriminating statements prior to the arrival of their lawyers. This post will tell you more about this, and explain some other mistakes that you need to avoid making when you are sitting in a cell or an interview room facing criminal charges.
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Talking to the Police Without a Lawyer
The main mistake you need to avoid making is talking to the police without a lawyer present. As mentioned in the introduction to this article, the police commonly try and coerce people who’ve been arrested into talking without their lawyers being present.
This is because it is a lot easier to get people to slip up and make incriminating statements when their lawyers are not around. A lawyer’s job is to bring their client back in line and make sure they do not say anything that could hurt them.
They also parry with police officers, arguing and defending their clients in the interview room and courtroom. If you want to find a criminal defense lawyer in Denver or anywhere else in the United States, make sure you find one who’s experienced.
A lawyer’s level of experience can be ascertained from their website. There, you will find information about previous cases they have worked on and get to see feedback left by their past clients.
When you are looking for a criminal defense attorney in Colorado or any other American state, it’s important to think about cost. Some lawyers charge very high fees. If you are on a low income, you might be able to get legal aid.
If you do not qualify for legal aid, you could potentially break down the cost of your legal fees into more affordable monthly repayments. Speak to the lawyer you want to work with and ask them what payment options they have available.
As a general rule, the better a lawyer is, the more expensive they’ll be. Do not compromise on quality just to save money, as the right lawyer can get you out of even the most severe charges.
Admitting Fault or Making Incriminating Statements
You need to avoid admitting fault or making incriminating statements at any point during your interaction with the police. Anything you say to the police can be used against you, even if it’s said away from the interview room.
For example, it is common for people who have been arrested to make ‘significant statements’ to the police at the time of their arrest. Sometimes people who are arrested make comments upon hearing the charges that are being brought against them that only guilty individuals would make. You need to avoid doing this.
If you have committed a crime and you have been made aware that the police are going to arrest you, the best thing you can do is have a lawyer’s number on speed dial. You may even want to pay for one on retainer.
A lawyer who’s on retainer will be able to deal with your case a lot more quickly than one who’s not. They will also be able to do a much quicker police station callout. If you know you are going to be arrested, your lawyer can begin putting your bail package together prior to it actually taking place.
Breaching the Conditions of Your Bail
If you are given bail, you need to make sure that you do not breach the conditions of it. Breaching your bail conditions means you will be sent to jail until your court date. Your lawyer will be able to negotiate bail on your behalf, but it’s usually up to you or your loved ones to find a bondsman if you cannot pay the cost of your bail yourself.
If you do not know the names of any bondsmen or you have no experience with the bail process, ask your lawyer for help. They should be able to recommend somebody.
A bail bond is provided by a private company operating in a given area. These companies will provide the majority of the funds needed for your release in return for a nonrefundable percentage of the total sum.
The amount that they charge will depend on the state or the county. In most places, this standard is 10%, but it may be higher in some areas depending on how high your bail is set. For example, if you’ve been arrested in Boise, Idaho, and your bail is $11,000, you can expect to pay $1,000 to a bail bondsman, plus jail fees and a bond fee.
In Atlanta, Georgia, you would have to pay up to 15% of this cost. Be familiar with how much bail bond companies are allowed to charge you and, if necessary, shop around for those who charge the minimum percentage.
In Ohio, the fee charged by a bail bondsman might vary, but it generally remains around 10% of the total bail amount. If you find yourself in need of a bondsman, it’s wise to explore bail bonds services in Orlando for assistance in navigating the bail process, as they can provide you with the necessary support to secure your release while adhering to the legal requirements.
This company will be refunded its portion of your bond if you complete all the responsibilities demanded by the court, but it will lose that money if you skip bail, so your bail bondsman is incentivized to ensure you follow the rules.
If you skip bail, the court will issue a warrant for your arrest. As soon as this is issued, the police in your area will begin actively searching for you. Sometimes bondsmen go looking for clients that have run off on them, too.
Bounty hunters could potentially be dispatched, also. You usually incur fees when you skip bail that have to be paid immediately, otherwise interest can be added on top of them. Speak to your lawyer if you need permission to leave the state while you are on bail so you don’t accidentally end up breaching your conditions.
Making Up Stories That Aren’t Plausible
Finally, make sure that you come up with a plausible defense if you are arguing against your charges. A lot of people make the mistake of exaggerating explanations for their innocence, coming up with implausible stories.
The legal system in the United States is very advanced, and the people who run it are highly intelligent. It’s also worth noting that modern technology has made it easier than ever for law enforcement to prove people’s involvement in crimes, which they can do through DNA testing. If your defense makes no sense and is not grounded in reality, it’ll be called out.
Speak to your lawyer and come up with a defense together. Do not try to do it alone. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what to say. Make sure that you stick to the truth, too. If your lawyer thinks that the truth is going to get you into further trouble, they will advise you to say nothing.
It is always a good idea to take a look at the prosecution’s evidence before you start working on a defense because it might not be necessary to mention certain things relevant to your case.
If you are facing criminal charges, avoid making the mistakes mentioned here. All of them can get you into serious trouble and even increase your chances of going to prison or receiving a fine. Make sure you find the most qualified lawyer you can because an attorney is the best person to advise you on what you should and shouldn’t do.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
