Being accused of a crime can be scary. You worry about going to prison.
You worry about what will happen to your family. You worry about paying for a
criminal lawyer. With all these concerns, it’s hard to keep your thoughts—and
your actions—in order. But with a few simple steps, you have a better chance at
lower sentencing.
First and foremost, don’t say
anything. Most people are familiar with at least the first line of the
Miranda Rights: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and
will be used against you in a court of law.” This phrase is repeated in every
cop drama out there, but few people actually know what it really means.
Basically, you are permitted to talk, but you have the right not to
answer any questions without a lawyer present. The prosecution “can and will”
use any slip-ups or inconsistencies in your story against you. They owe you no
favors and it’s their job to prove, in any way they can, that you did the
crime. Even if you didn’t do whatever it is you’re being accused of, remain silent.
Next, find a Fairfax criminal
lawyer to represent you. A good lawyer can protect you from
self-incrimination, explain what charges (if any) have been filed, and
negotiate with prosecutors.
How to
Find the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer
Not all criminal defense lawyers are the same, so it’s important to find
someone who you trust to get a fair outcome. The first thing to look at is if
you need a state or federal defense attorney. This will depend on whether the
charges against you fall under state or federal law.
Finding a criminal lawyer that specializes in the specific crimes you’ve
been accused of committing is also important. It means they know very specific
details of that area of the law.
