Whether you made a mistake and carried out an illegal act, or you’ve been wrongfully arrested, it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself facing criminal charges. It is an extremely worrying time, but it’s important to stay calm and take a few steps to get the best possible outcome.
Get a lawyer
It’s a good idea to get a lawyer before you say anything to the police, even if you aren’t guilty and think you can explain the situation. Find a lawyer Central Coast and give them a call. The police have to let you make a phone call and should delay your questioning to give you time to do this.
Some of the reasons you should get a lawyer when arrested include:
- Ensuring the police follow the correct procedure
- You get legal advice from someone you know is on your side
- Police can sometimes twist what you say, so even if you’re innocent, they can make you sound guilty
- Being arrested is extremely worrying and police don’t always explain what’s going on. Having a lawyer to tell you what’s going to happen next can help
It’s worth keeping the number of a lawyer on your phone or memorising it, so if you find yourself in trouble, you know who to call.
Try to stay calm
It’s important not to get upset or resist arrest if you are faced with a criminal charge. Acting calmly and being polite will work in your favour, otherwise, any bad behaviour could be recorded on a police report. You may even find yourself with further assault charges if you make life difficult for the police, so it’s important to follow instructions and stay calm.
Get help at your trial
Generally, if a lawyer comes to the station to help with questioning, they’ll be with you through to the trial. It can be useful to have the same lawyer, as they know your case better than anyone. Legal representation in court is essential, so it’s important not to try and represent yourself, but to find someone who can give you the best possible chance of a fair sentence or acquittal.
Nobody likes to think that they’ll get in legal trouble, but it happens to all sorts of people, so don’t feel embarrassed. If you are arrested or being investigated, things can move quickly, so make sure you get legal advice as soon as you can.
