By Josh Hamilton on
Any type of criminal charges can have significant consequences, but being charged with a serious crime can lead to jail or prison time, substantial fines, and probation—along with far reaching effects on your personal and professional life. If you have been charged with a serious crime in Arizona, do not risk your future by failing to secure proper legal representation. Follow these critical steps recommended by our criminal defense attorneys at Hernandez Hamilton Lamoureux PC.
Invoke Your Rights
When you are being questioned by the police, you have the right to remain silent, even if you have already been charged with a crime. If you have not been charged and are being questioned, do not answer any questions and ask if you are free to go. If you have been charged with a crime, state that you will not answer any questions until your attorney is present. You have the right to remain silent, and you have the right to an attorney. Invoke your rights and do not say anything to law enforcement.
A common mistake made by criminal defendants in the early stages of an investigation is to try and clear up a misunderstanding by speaking to the police or providing an alternative theory of a crime to assert your own innocence. While it is natural to want to defend yourself in the wake of criminal accusations, you should not say anything to the police without a lawyer present. Law enforcement will use a variety of tactics to try to manipulate or coerce you into a confession or admission of guilt. Your best defense is to stay quiet.
Consult an Attorney Right Away
You may be aware that you are a person of interest or under investigation in a case before charges are filed. If this is the case, do not wait until you are charged to consult a criminal defense attorney. Seeking representation early on can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Your attorney will advocate for your rights during every phase of an investigation, and they may prevent you from falling victim to an illegal search, harassment from law enforcement, or manipulative investigation tactics.
After you’re charged with a serious crime, your attorney can continue to fight for you by challenging evidence to limit the prosecution’s case, filing motions to dismiss your case, or identifying procedural violations that may disqualify the evidence that the police have collected from being presented in a court of law.
Do Not Talk About the Case
If you are under investigation or charged with a crime, these accusations may attract the attention of friends, family, colleagues, or even the media. However, it is important to avoid discussing the case with anyone except your attorney. You should also avoid commenting on the case on social media. Even something as small as a comment on someone else’s post may be used against you later during your trial.
Hernandez Hamilton Lamoureux PC focuses on the aggressive defense of serious crimes in Arizona. Our team handles cases on both the state and federal level, and we have represented clients in all 15 counties in Arizona, as well as nationally. From high-profile cases to arguments in major appellate courts, we handle even the most complex criminal cases. If you are charged with a serious crime, timing matters. Call us immediately to secure representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Arizona.
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