There’s a lot on the line when you’re charged with a criminal offense. While the allegations themselves might damage your reputation and your relationships with your family and friends, a conviction can leave you facing the real possibility of incarceration, fines and a criminal record that could haunt you for years to come.
As overwhelming as those possibilities seem, there may be effective ways to defend yourself in your case. One way to do so is to avoid being your own worst enemy. In far too many cases, accused individuals make mistakes that put them at significant risk of being convicted. Your first step in building your criminal defense is to avoid those mistakes.
What mistakes are commonly made when under criminal investigation?
There are a lot of missteps that can occur in a criminal investigation, and it only takes one to put you behind the eight-ball. Here are some of the most common and most damaging mistakes that you can make in your case:
- Turning to social media: To many, social media seems like a safe space to vent and seek support. But discussing your criminal case on social media can be severely damaging to your defense, and even seemingly innocuous posts can leave you looking guilty of something that you may not have done. Therefore, it’s best to stay off social media while you’re under investigation and while your criminal case is pending.
- Speaking with the police: A lot of accused individuals think that they can put suspicions to rest simply by telling their side of the story to police. But the police are skilled at getting people to talk and finding ways to make them look guilty. Therefore, what may have seemed like an innocent conversation at the start can quickly turn into a heated interrogation that has you backpedaling. Remember, your silence alone isn’t going to lead to a conviction, so it’s best to not talk to the police unless advised to do so by your attorney.
- Discussing your case with others: You might think that it’s safe to discuss your case with those closest to you, especially if they promise secrecy. But the prosecution can subpoena those people to court and compel them to testify against you. Given that they’ll be under threat of perjury at that point, they may end up testifying against you. You don’t want that to happen, so it’s best to only discuss your case with your criminal defense attorney. And, whatever you do, don’t talk about your case when calling someone from jail, as your call will probably be monitored.
- Forcing trial out of spite: As you navigate the criminal justice system, you’re likely going to be offered a plea deal. The penalties associated with that deal might feel like a punch in the gut, but you shouldn’t take your case to trial simply because you don’t like the deal that was offered to you. After all, doing so may just lead to conviction and the implementation of even harsher penalties. Instead, you need to take a comprehensive look at your case and the evidence at hand to determine the best course of action in your defense.
Don’t be your own worst enemy
Building an effective criminal defense is a delicate matter. You certainly don’t want to trample on any opportunities that you have to beat the prosecution and obtain the best outcome possible under the circumstances. That’s why you’ll want to be as careful as possible as you navigate the criminal investigation and your criminal case.
As daunting as that may sound, this isn’t a process that you have to face alone. By seeking out the support that you need and educating yourself on your defense options, you might be able to protect your future and put this dark chapter of your life behind you.