With an average of 129,134 violent crimes per year, Houston has been experiencing a rise in crime rates every year. With so many cases being reported each year, it is not entirely impossible that you end up in jail for a crime you did not commit.
If you find yourself accused of a violent crime, you should immediately hire an experienced Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer to ensure you get the best legal representation, giving yourself the best chance in court.
As it might take some time to connect to an attorney, here are five tips to help you if you are accused of a crime.
- Avoid making any statements to anyone
If you’ve ever watched any criminal TV series or movies, you’ve probably heard the phrase “anything you say can be used against you in court,” and you must know that this applies in real life too.
Any statements you make can be used as formal evidence against you to bolster the prosecution’s case from the moment you are arrested for a crime. As a result, you must refrain from speaking to police or law enforcement without the presence of an attorney.
- Understand the Gravity of the Charges
You should take a moment to determine how serious the charges are and how they’ll affect your life if you’re charged and found guilty.
Because the criminal justice system is not perfect, you may end up looking guilty in the eyes of the law regardless of your part in the crime.
Even if there is no evidence to prove your innocence, you should not give up hope and look to hire a reputable Houston criminal defense lawyer to fight for you in court.
- Hire a top-notch criminal defense lawyer
If you don’t have an attorney present with you, you should not make any statements concerning the case or your arrest. You will need to hire a legal expert as soon as possible.
The case will involve numerous expenditures, but criminal and civil rights representation is critical since the lawyers are certified, skilled, and experienced in these matters.
Make sure you hire the best Houston Criminal Defense Lawyeras their experience and knowledge may end up being the only thing keeping you out of prison. The best attorneys also leave no stone unturned as they look to gather evidence that proves your innocence.
- Step in before you are charged
There’s a significant difference between being accused of a crime and being charged with a crime. To avoid accusations against you, you must act as soon as you are accused of something.
It is one of the reasons why you should hire a criminal lawyer as quickly as possible. They review your case with the officer in charge of your case and take all necessary steps to ensure that you aren’t charged for a crime you didn’t commit.
Some attorneys even go above and beyond by assisting in the case investigation to ensure that law authorities apprehend the appropriate person.
- Make a written record of your alibi
Just because you shouldn’t make any statements doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep a record of the facts that prove your innocence.
Write down all of the information you know about the scenario and the proof of your innocence and alibi. The court may eventually use it to support your case in court.
Being accused of the crimes you didn’t commit can be overwhelming. It affects your state of mind as well as your social life. Make sure you hire only the best legal representation in the city, to give yourself the best chance at getting justice.
Even if your attorney cannot get you an acquittal, they will be able to use their professional relationships with prosecutors to get the charges reduced, thereby helping you get a reduced or more lenient sentence.