What to Do If You’ve Been Accused of a Crime
Once you’ve been accused of a crime, it can be disorienting and overwhelming. You need to know what steps you should follow so you can come out of the situation with the best possible outcome. The key is to stay calm and take time to absorb your situation.Understand Your Charges
Your first step will be understanding exactly what you’ve been charged with. Many crimes may seem familiar, but there are several different penal codes and specifications that will affect you. Once you’re charged, read through your charges to see what the full extent is. You may be charged with just one crime or several. You could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. The more you know about your charges, the more prepared you will be to handle your case and push forward.Know What to Expect from a Trial
Even if you’ve been falsely accused, the best thing you can do for yourself is to follow all the protocols and rules that accompany your charges and the legal process. As a part of this, you should make sure you know what will happen before, during, and after a trial. You may be given a preliminary hearing before you go to trial and you should understand what that means and what the benefits of attending that hearing are. You also need to understand the process of a trial and what you need to prepare for. At this time, you should also explore the potential outcomes you face.Hire an Attorney
The best thing you can do for yourself is to hire an attorney. The law system is notoriously tricky to navigate and you want to have the help of someone who knows what they’re doing. Your attorney can help you understand your situation and they will assist you in making a plan to move forward. They will determine what defenses you should use and how to build your case. Your attorney will guide you through the process and advise you on what steps to take. Being charged with a crime is very serious and you need to know what to expect from the situation. Every action you take will impact the outcome. Take the time to do your research and get the necessary help. Having an attorney on your side is your best option. Click here to explore the practice areas of the Law Offices of Bradley Corbett.
Bradley Corbett
Bradley Corbett is a criminal defense attorney in San Diego. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah in 2004. Later he enrolled at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego where he participated in a prestigious internship program with the Los Angeles County Public Defender. Since then he has handled over 2,000 cases.