When you get assault charges leveled against you, never take it lightly. Just like any other criminal accusations, assault charges can have life-changing consequences if you are convicted. They can adversely affect your future and financial standing as well. Even when facing the charges, it’s important to remember that you have certain rights such as access to a criminal defense lawyer and you should use them to your advantage. When facing the charges here are a few things you should do:
Don’t Talk To Anyone About Your Case
Everybody knows this, but in most cases, the police will try to lure you to talking about their cases. They will even promise leniency or outright dismissal of your charges if you are “sincere” or they can even claim they have all incriminating evidence against you. But always remember that you are not under any obligation to talk, so don’t talk to them, don’t give statements or even answer questions related to your case.
You also shouldn’t talk to other inmates or your friends about your case. Be careful that your conversations can be recorded and even the inmate you thought is your sympathizer could be a police agent who will trade your information in return for getting a lenient treatment. Instead of opening up to other people, insist on speaking to your defense lawyer. It won’t cost you to talk to one, and you can even have them arranging for a bail if you don’t have anyone else ready to do so.
Prepare your defense
Your defense lawyer will not only listen to your case, he/she will also help you in coming up with a defense for your case. The professional will help you gather evidence that you will use in your case. If there were people present during the occurrence of the incident, the professional will help in finding them so that they can testify in your favor.
These are the things you should do when dealing with assault charges. The assault charges lawyer you hire has great impact on the success of your case; therefore, you should ensure that you work with the most reputable. Some people try to cut costs by hiring a cheap lawyer but this shouldn’t be you. Remember that you always get what you pay for. When you pay a cheap lawyer, you end up with cheap service that can see you serving time in jail.
A criminal defense lawyer is a professional who will guide you through the process when you are facing criminal charges. The legal process is complex and can be confusing especially if it’s your first time facing a criminal case.
When to hire a defense lawyer
As rule of thumb, you should hire a defense lawyer when you are facing a criminal case. Some of the cases that need the services of the lawyer include:
Traffic accident: If you are a regular driver you know that sometimes accidents are inevitable. If you have injured someone or damaged a car you should hire a defense lawyer who will advise you on what to do. The professional will also guide you on collecting the right evidence that you can use to your advantage. For example, the professional will help you in finding evidence that you weren’t the one in the wrong.
Assault: Assault charges are serious and can see you spending time behind bars. Sometimes you might be required to attend hours of therapy. While it’s uncouth to engage in a fight, sometimes the tempers get the best of us. You can be driving and someone cuts right in front of you. This can trigger you to assault the other driver. The assault charges lawyer will help you in coming up with an explanation that will see you walking out free or serving a reduced punishment.
In some cases, you might be assaulted by another person. When this happens, your assault lawyer will help you with the filing of the necessary documents. The lawyer will also represent you in court to ensure you get a fair hearing and get the necessary compensation.
DUI: While they might sound simple, DUI cases are very serious. In the event you are found guilty of drunk driving on several occasions, you might be required to serve a long jail term. In some cases, you might be required to part with a hefty fine. Whether you are in the wrong or not you should hire a defense lawyer who will help you in coming up with a plan on how to win your case. The professional will help you in collecting any details that will sway the case to your favor.
Conclusion
Whether looking for a DUI lawyer or any other defense lawyer you should ensure that you hire the most experienced. While the experienced professional will be expensive, the extra cost will be worth it.
