If you are facing criminal charges, you might be feeling like your life’s direction is out of your hands. You have been arrested, charged, and your fate is now in the hands of various parties in the criminal justice system.
All of this is true, but it is important to keep in mind that you are still in control of some aspects of your case. More specifically, there are certain things you can refrain from doing in order to give yourself the best chance of a favorable outcome. We will discuss a few of these in detail below.
If you would like to speak with a dedicated criminal defense attorney with a robust track record of success, contact The Law Office of Lisa Pelosi for a free consultation.
Talking to the Police
As we mentioned in a previous post, you should wait until you can speak to an attorney before saying anything to the police. While they may make it sound like they are providing you with the opportunity to explain yourself, their job is to collect evidence that can be used against you. You have the right to remain silent — exercise that right and rely on the guidance of your defense attorney.
Posting on Social Media
Just as anything you say to friends, family, inmates, and the police can all be used against you in court, so can your social media posts. Although police may not be able to access private messages themselves, messages obtained from a civilian can — and generally are — permitted as evidence. Whether you are waiting for your day in court, serving probation, or made posts that could be relevant to your case prior to your arrest, be aware that anything you do online could come back to haunt you.
Read more about how to safely use social media in our post, Social Media Can and Will Be Used Against You In Court.
Missing Court
Speaking of court, you should always be on time. There is no guarantee that arriving on time will benefit you, but arriving late or forgetting about the date entirely can put you on the wrong track from the moment you step into the room. If you cannot attend a court date, notify your attorney as soon as possible. If you missed your court date to unforeseeable events, you will need to provide documentation proving that the circumstances were beyond your control. Your criminal defense attorney can provide you with advice.
Failing to Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney
Above all else, you shouldn’t represent yourself or rely on a public defender to help you navigate the legal system. While a public defender is certainly preferable to no attorney in many cases, they often have heavy workloads and do not have the time it takes to take an in-depth look at your case and fully understand your side of the story.
While a criminal defense attorney cannot guarantee any outcome in your case, you can trust that they will work as hard as possible to get your charges reduced or dismissed entirely. Experienced criminal attorneys have the knowledge and resources needed to give each case the attention it deserves.
If you have been charged with a crime in New York, contact The Law Office of Lisa Pelosi. As an experienced NYC criminal lawyer and former prosecutor, Lisa understands the nuances of the legal system and knows how to craft strong defenses. She has represented people just like you for more than 30 years and will work tirelessly to help you achieve a favorable outcome in your case.
Dedicated representation is just a phone call away. Contact Lisa Pelosi for a free consultation today.
