This is a contributed post
Generally speaking, crimes fall into three categories; misdemeanours, infractions, and felonies. Of the three crimes, felonies are the most serious and have dire consequences. Even after you are done serving time in jail, the consequences of your crimes will follow you for the rest of your days. Therefore, you must take proactive action to improve your situation before things get out of hand. This article will detail the steps you should take to fight a felony charge.
Do not resist arrest
It might be hard to remain calm, especially if you believe you are being wrongfully arrested. The police also tend to be rough with the suspects they are bringing into custody. All these events could be frustrating, making you more likely to argue with the authorities. However, lashing out and resisting arrest will escalate the situation and make you look guilty. You also risk having additional charges filed against you. Therefore, it would be best to let the police take you into custody and wait for the investigation findings to exonerate you.
Avoid incriminating yourself
When the authorities arrest you, they will mention that you have the right to remain silent. However, very few people understand what this phrase means. According to the Fifth Amendment, you could refuse to say anything that could imply you are guilty of the crime you are being charged with. The interrogator could also manipulate you into confessing to a crime or twist your words to make it look like you are guilty. Therefore, it would be wise to exercise your right to remain silent and refuse to answer any questions until you hire a lawyer.
Understand the severity of your charges
According to criminal law, a misdemeanour is a minor charge punishable via community service, fines, probation and incrimination of less than twelve months. On the other hand, a felony is a much more severe crime with greater punishments and consequences. A natural defence mechanism would be to avoid thinking about your felony charge or make it seem less severe than it is. Failure to understand your current situation could prevent you from taking the necessary measures to prove your innocence or lessen your sentence. Therefore, it would be wise to know what charges you face and what they mean for you in the long run.
Reach out to your attorney as soon as possible
A felony charge is a serious case that could impact the course of your life. Therefore, it would be wise to seek help from a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Waiting too long to reach out to your lawyer reduces your chances of being released or getting lesser charges. A good lawyer will examine your case and inform you of the possible outcomes. They will also guide you through the entire process and explain complicated legal terms. Beware of lawyers who give false promises only to ghost you after you have paid them a hefty sum.
Gather witnesses
The police will require you to write a complete statement. In addition to your account, it would help to take note of the witnesses who could vouch for you and prove your innocence. Ensure you indicate their names, contact information, and personal address so the police can reach out to them quickly. We also suggest you write down the people who could confirm you are a person of good character and would never commit a felony.
Be truthful with your lawyer
Once you have hired an attorney, it would be in your best interests, to tell the truth, even though you are guilty. Since your lawyer is bound by attorney-client privilege, they will not share sensitive information about your actions or the case with anybody else. Full disclosure and transparency will enable your attorney to defend your rights in the best way possible. Start by telling them your side of the story, complete with accurate timelines and dates.
Post bail after getting a green light from your attorney
You wouldn’t think twice about posting bail for a loved one in custody for a felony. However, this is the last thing you should do, especially without an attorney. Since your attorney has dealt with such cases before, they will be in a position to know whether the charges could be dropped at the arraignment, eliminating the need to post bail. If the jury can’t do away with the bail, your attorney could help you get a percentage reduction in the bail bondsman fee the court requires you to pay.
Wrapping up
In addition to the steps we have covered, it would be wise never to miss a court hearing and avoid spilling the beans about your case to your friends and loved ones. The bottom line is that you should work with a top criminal defence attorney to help you fight against a felony charge. It will help you avoid making costly mistakes that might hurt your situation.
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