No one ever thinks that they will be falsely accused of a crime. Unfortunately, however, wrongful accusations happen more often than you may think. So what can you do in a situation like this? Fortunately, you can team up with a lawyer who can resolve the issue using clever legal strategies.

It is important to take action as soon as you become aware of an ongoing investigation for an act you are not guilty of. Here are some things you should do immediately.

Hire a Lawyer

Innocent defendants often don’t hire an attorney right away because they think their innocence will be evident in due time. Some people think that getting a lawyer appears as a sign of guilt. However, innocent people need more legal protection than guilty individuals, especially during the investigation process. Make sure you get the best legal representation possible. A criminal defense attorney will fight for your case as long as they are committed to protecting your rights and pressuring law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation to increase the chances that the truth will be revealed sooner rather than later.

Use Your Right to Remain Silent

When you’ve been wrongfully accused of a crime, it’s tempting to make it clear that you’re innocent and to tell anyone who will listen that you’ve been falsely accused. However, even if there are small inconsistencies in your story, this could be suspicious to law enforcement. Take advantage of Miranda warning – your legal right not to speak about the case and don’t offer a statement or answer any questions the police ask you until you’ve consulted with your lawyer.

Don’t Agree to Voluntary Searches or Testing

Even if you know that searching your home or submitting a DNA sample will make it obvious that you’re innocent, you can’t be certain that the police won’t find other things that will make it more difficult to prove your innocence. So it’s best to ensure that the police have a valid warrant to ensure the proper rules are followed. If the search is not court-ordered, you have the right to decline all searches, particularly in the early stages of your case.

Gather Evidence and Don’t Tamper With It

Just because you shouldn’t agree to have your property searched with no warrant doesn’t mean you don’t have evidence to prove that you’re innocent. Gather all your evidence and present it to your attorney so they can give it to law enforcement in a way that will improve your chances of winning your case.

Don’t destroy any evidence that you think may present you in a bad light. If you are truly innocent, the evidence may not be as damaging as you may think, and destroying it could make the courts assume you are guilty.

Don’t Contact Any Witnesses or Victims

If you’ve been accused of a crime, it may seem like a good idea to speak with your accuser to clear your name. However, a conversation like this could make things more complicated. You may be accused of trying to scare or intimidate a witness or victim if you ask to talk with them before your day in court. If you truly believe you can settle things with a victim or witness, ask your lawyer if this is the best move to make. Your attorney can help you come up with a plan that will keep you protected.

Know that Being Innocent Isn’t Enough

If you’ve been charged with a crime, the police have determined that you’re guilty, and you’ll be treated as such. While it’s logical to assume that innocent people won’t run into any problems with the law, that is not always the reality. You’ll have a difficult time proving that you’re innocent in some instances, so be prepared for a long and challenging legal battle.

A criminal defense attorney will fight for your case if you’ve been wrongfully accused of a crime. Therefore, it’s important to get a lawyer on your side as soon as possible so you’ll know which actions you should take to defend yourself in court properly and receive the justice you deserve.

Author:

With a law degree under his belt and years of experience, Mark Scott set off to make the law more accessible to all. He decided to help people lost in the maze of legal terminology to find their way. Mark writes clear and concise pieces and gives simple advice that is easy to follow. On account of positive feedback from readers, he decided to dedicate more of his time to this goal and became a legal columnist. In his writings, Mark covers a wide array of topics, like how to seek legal counsel, or how to deal with different procedures. Furthermore, he directs his readers toward other trustworthy resources for more in-depth information.