Being arrested is a stressful and overwhelming experience. For many, the immediate aftermath can lead to confusion, anxiety, and fear of the unknown. In the midst of all this, people often make legal missteps that can hurt their case in the long run. Understanding what mistakes to avoid after an arrest is crucial, and hiring a skilled attorney can help navigate the complex legal landscape and correct these missteps. If you are facing criminal charges, an affordable drug crimes attorney in Portland can provide invaluable support to ensure your rights are protected and you don’t make harmful mistakes.
Mistake 1: Talking to the Police Without Legal Counsel
After being arrested, one of the very frequent mistakes individuals make is to talk to the police without their lawyer being present. Although it is quite natural for a person to want to tell his side of the story or defend his actions, the truth is that any information you give to the police can be used against you in court. Even if you said something that the police could look through their fingers at, such statements can always be twisted or broken down into smaller parts and quoted without giving the real meaning of your discussion.
An Attorney Fixes It: A criminal defense lawyer will definitely guide you to exercise your right of silence and not to talk to the police except when a lawyer is present. They have the power to prevent you from being interrogated thus saving you from giving statements that may be used against you later. Besides that, your lawyer is the one supervising the police interrogation and making sure that they are not infringing your rights.
Mistake 2: Not Understanding the Full Impact of Your Charges
Confusion on the part of the arrested individuals regarding the formal charges against them and underestimating the gravity of the matter is a common occurrence in many cases. Not having a clue of the very first thing about the ramifications of a criminal charge such as jail time, fines, or probation may lead you to making choices that betray you in the case.
How an Attorney Fixes It: The right attorney will unhesitatingly explain to you the charges that have been brought against you as well as the legal consequences. They will provide you with an in-depth understanding of what it means for your future and also guide you through the legal process. When you properly understand the crimes that you are accused of, you will be in a position to make the right decision concerning your case.
Mistake 3: Not Hiring an Affordable Drug Crimes Attorney in Portland Immediately
People quite often think that they have a lot of time to get a lawyer and, therefore, decide not to hire one immediately. Their thoughts might even go as far as handling the situation on their own or that the problem will disappear by itself. Nevertheless, a deferred call for legal help may cause you to lose some wins and make the situation tougher in terms of prepping a solid defense.
How an Attorney Fixes It: A qualified lawyer should be a priority and in no time after the hire, they can be on your case handling it. It won’t be long until they start the investigation, witness search, and, of course, reviewing the facts. Apart from that, a law firm will provide you with the security that your rights will be respected from the moment you are taken into custody, thus, you will be able to refrain from making costly mistakes. What is more, it is very probable that at a later stage you can re-negotiate lowering the charges or even a plea deal if intervention happens early.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Bail or Bond Options
Post an arrest, quite a number of folks assume that they are immediately bail ineligible and they don’t really understand the bail process. Because of such a misconception, in some cases, confusion may arise and people will be kept in jail unnecessarily until the trial can be held.
How an Attorney Fixes It: It is possible for a lawyer to explain to you what your bail options are and act in your best interests to accomplish the most favorable bail conditions. On your behalf, they can ask for a lesser bail amount or if compatible with a bail bondsman, arrange for your release until the court cannot hear the case. The presence of an attorney in the bail proceeding assures that your detention will not be of considerable length and that you will be free to live your normal life during the case resolution phase.
Mistake 5: Discussing the Case on Social Media
Social media have turned out to be such a convenient way for people to communicate with one another with the aid of modern technology but what if you were to mention your case details online even if you are only convinced that your posts are for personal viewing? It can significantly harm you. The police, prosecution, and even the insurance company can be the ones who read your posts and the only manner in which your information can be utilized is against you if you share it.
How an Attorney Fixes It: Your lawyer will not only assure you of the opposite but also remind you that the airing of your grievances regarding your case on social media is not a wise move. Eventually, they will convey to you that such conduct prevails with a considerable number of hazards and consequences. Their suggestion might also consist of removing certain postings, which may have a negative influence on your case, from your profile.
Mistake 6: Failing to Preserve Important Evidence
The very fact of the arrest and all that is subsequent to it generally becomes somewhat of a blur in the minds of those people who have been arrested, and therefore, most do not preserve necessary information. Such information may be the pictures of the place where the incident happened, or the contact details of witnesses, or documents related to the case. Without this kind of evidence, it can be quite challenging to convince the court of your innocence or to counter the charges.
How an Attorney Fixes It: Once you decide to work with a skilled and professional attorney, he or she will be fully committed to do everything within their power to prove that you are innocent. To support your side of the story, your lawyer will interview witnesses, take or get permission to take pictures and videos, and gather other types of evidence. Besides that, your lawyer will be able to facilitate the process of getting the evidence and recording it in the proper way that is in line with the law thus, your case being very strong in front of the judge.
Mistake 7: Not Understanding the Importance of Plea Negotiations
Fast winning the case through a plea bargain is the reason for some people, however, they do not realize the consequences that last a lifetime of their choice. A plea deal may be seen as a fast resolution of troubles, but it can stay on one’s criminal record, thus, causing problems with getting a job and other kinds of opportunities in the future.
How an Attorney Fixes It: An experienced criminal defense attorney will not merely accept a plea offer as it is but will rather examine it in detail and inform you of the consequences that are permanent. They may act on your behalf in negotiating a better plea agreement or in deciding whether it is better to trust the jury with your case. Your lawyer will be with you at every turn until the best choice for your future is made.
Mistake 8: Failing to Follow Legal Advice
Failure to follow the advice of your lawyer is, after all, one of the most serious mistakes that a person can make. The judicial system is a very complex issue, and decisions taken in that process can have very long-term consequences. Disregard of your attorney’s guidance may result in bad consequences.
How an Attorney Fixes It: An lawyer will not only give you straightforward and feasible advice but also keep you up-to-date throughout the entire legal procedure. They will explain the measures to be taken and, at the same time, ensure that you understand the reasons for their directions. By following their advice you will be able to make your case stronger and thus have a higher chance of a favorable outcome.
It is arresting, and it can, indeed, be the way your world comes down. Still, the choices you make afterward will, to a very large extent, decide the outcome of your case. Not making these mistakes and at the same time hiring a good lawyer will put you in a much better position to face the court process.
At Mark C. Cogan, P.C., we are committed to providing affordable and effective legal representation for those facing criminal charges. Don’t wait if you have been arrested and are in need of help. Get in touch with us immediately to arrange a meeting and receive the assistance you require.
