False Accusations of a Crime – What You Need to Know
Being accused of a crime when you are innocent is one of the most agonizing and life-disrupting experiences a person can go through.
Falsely Accused of a Crime
Most people who have never been accused of a crime would be completely unsure about what should be done first if someone claimed they did something illegal. A person who is falsely accused of a crime will likely feel like they are presumed guilty until proven innocent of the offense.
If you find out that you have been or are about to be wrongfully charged with a crime, there are several things you can do immediately to protect yourself. First, do not speak to anyone other than a lawyer. Only a lawyer cannot be compelled to testify against you. Remember, anything you say “can and will be used against you.” Whatever you do, NEVER talk to the police under any circumstances without an attorney present and protecting you. They are not your friends and are not there to help you; their only function is to build a case against you.
Secondly, do not wait to see what happens or if you will be charged, be proactive. In many cases, a good defense lawyer can prevent you from being charged if they act quickly on your behalf. In those cases where charges are unavoidable, a lawyer might be able to convince the police or prosecutor to charge a less serious offense. If a lawyer can persuasively demonstrate that you’ve been falsely accused of a crime, they might be able to help you avoid charges altogether.
You will not have the option of speaking to a court-appointed attorney before you are charged. By the time a court-appointed attorney is appointed, many critical events will have already taken place. Retaining an experienced lawyer immediately may help prevent you from ever going to court.
Do not talk to the police under any circumstances.
Any comments you make to the police may be interpreted in several different ways. Things that you believe will help you and establish your innocence may, in fact, land you in a jail cell awaiting a bail hearing. The police will twist anything you say to use it against you. For example, if you profess your innocence, the police will claim you were nervous, you were evasive, that you did not maintain eye contact, or that you acted or spoke suspiciously.
A privately retained, reputable attorney with an outstanding reputation with the police, such as the attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., will be able to place themselves between you and the police and fend off the attack. And make no mistake; it is an attack. Police do not take lightly contacting citizens and insinuating they have committed a crime. If they have contacted you, you are in grave danger, and you need to take steps to help yourself immediately.
Can a retained attorney help me before I’m charged?
Yes, absolutely. Your attorney can do things you cannot. For instance, your attorney speaks on your behalf, and what they say cannot be used against you. An attorney can also get the police to inform them if a charge is actually obtained. By doing this, the lawyer can walk you into court if there is a warrant and prevent you from being arrested at home, work, or while driving.
If you hire the right attorney, they will sit down with you and get information and witnesses together to present to the police before you’re charged. Your attorney will know what information should be given to the police and what should not be. Your attorney may be able to get the police not to seek a warrant for prosecution. Many steps can be taken by a skilled lawyer to protect you.
What can my attorney do if I’m falsely charged with a crime?
If the police have given you no warning that an investigation has been ongoing and you have had no reason to retain an attorney, they may find you and arrest you wherever you are. The police sometimes arrest someone without warning to catch them emotionally off guard and without a lawyer. They believe they will get a shot at asking you questions without an attorney present and while you are in a weakened, highly emotional state.
If you are arrested without warning, you should immediately tell the police you demand to speak to an attorney. It will be your natural impulse to try to explain that the police are making a mistake. Please don’t do it. Let your attorney do the talking. Your attorney is a professional, just as the police are professionals. The defense attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have handled thousands of cases and are experts at dealing with the police before or after a charge is filed.
How can my attorney prove I’ve been falsely charged?
Your privately retained attorney knows the elements of crimes. They know what the prosecutor has to prove. They know what to say and what not to say. Your attorney knows how to get ahold of the evidence in possession of the police and prosecutor. Your attorney will be able to assess alibi witnesses, physical evidence, and your account of things. If you have been falsely charged, an astute, passionate, retained attorney may be able to dismantle the prosecution’s case in a logical, legal way.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Representing the Wrongfully Accused
A top retained attorney is essential to protecting yourself and vindicate you if you have been falsely charged. A good lawyer will not judge you. Your attorney will be your advisor, counselor, and best defender in the face of a false charge. The dedicated, experienced, and zealous defense attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have successfully represented thousands of clients in the state of Michigan. We have a well-earned reputation for providing extraordinary, high-quality, aggressive representation, while showing empathy and care for each client.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete a Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
