When you’re in need of a good criminal defense strategy it means that you are in one of the worst periods of your life. No matter what happened no matter if you are innocent or guilty you need to do everything that you can to protect yourself and your best interest.
In this article, we’re going to talk about exactly that and we will tell you how to protect your rights and develop a good criminal defense strategy. Keep on reading to find out what things you should do and what things that could get you in even bigger trouble.
Collect data, documents, and eyewitness information
If you have been charged with a crime and if you want to create a good criminal defense strategy then you need to collect data and evidence that will work towards your case. Depending on the strategy that you have chosen you will need to provide proof of your whereabouts and your alibi to be able to walk away free or with minimal time.
You need to collect every document possible that would help your case and this includes eyewitness information. Note that as a defendant you are not allowed to talk to the witnesses and you should never try to stalk them or intimidate them but, if possible, you should gather their information and share it with your legal advisor.
If something happens that you know would lead to you needing a criminal defense strategy, then first and foremost you need to be aware that you are allowed to take your own photos and videos that could help your case. You are not allowed to conceal evidence or remove items but you are allowed to present your own view of the scene and you are allowed to show your side of the story.
Know what your legal rights are
Another thing that is crucial during processes like this is knowing what your rights are. When people are in need of a criminal defense attorney and when they are in need of an overall criminal defense strategy more often than not, they are not aware of what they can and should not do.
You need to be aware of your rights in case the police come to your home or place of work to question you, if they detain you and take you to the police station, or if they just want to talk to you and reach out to you in a different way.
You need to be aware that your legal rights are to stay quiet and not disclose any information without the presence of a legal adviser and they cannot go through your home or any other property without a warranty. Keep in mind that the police and authorities are allowed to lie to you or to try and deceive you in order to get what they need, so the best thing you can do is talk to a legal advisor as soon as you possibly can to know what you should do in case the authorities want to talk to you.
Find a great legal advisor
One of the biggest mistakes that people make is thinking that they don’t need to talk to a lawyer until they need to go to court. The legal advisor can help you out every step of the way starting from the moment you got in trouble up to the final days in court and everything in between.
Keep in mind that a great criminal defense attorney will help you minimize the time that you would need to serve or they can help you walk away as a free person.
As suggested by Zamani Law, your criminal defense attorney will help you out in figuring out the best strategy for you and the best way forward and they’re going to be there for you to support you no matter what the charges against you are.
It is said that you should always push to find the best out of the best in your area and even though it would require you to make a bigger investment in this, you should know that the outcome will greatly vary depending on the skills and capabilities of your defender.
Don’t hide anything from your attorney
To create the best strategy for your case you need to be honest and open with your legal advisor right from the start. They are going to be the only person who actually cares about your well-being in this process and they are the only person who is bound by law to protect you and have your best interest in mind.
In cases like this, you should try and disclose as little information as possible to everyone around you including your family but you have to tell your criminal defense attorney everything. The reason for this is that they will be able to help you depending on the things that have happened and they will know how to approach your case with the evidence and the truth.
The worst thing for you that could happen is your legal advisor finding things out in court and it is better if they know everything that you know than for them to find things out from the other party. You should never make the mistake of trying to trick your attorney and in case you don’t feel that you trust them or if you don’t think that they have your best interest in mind that just means that you are not collaborating with the right person. Look for a professional that you completely trust and that you feel safe and secure opening up about every single detail that led to you meeting them.
Alongside your legal advisor, you will be able to create the best strategy depending on the details of your case and you should always listen to them and follow their lead. The best thing you can do about yourself is to try to keep a cool head and educate yourself as much as possible. Spend your time researching, reading, and gathering information from people that have been in a similar situation, and remember that you need to be as vague as possible when communicating with others in order not to jeopardize your case.