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Being arrested is a scary and overwhelming situation for most people. While you may think answering the Police’s questions or trying to “talk your way out” of the charge is smart, it can actually be detrimental to your case.

Usually, you will only be arrested if the Police believe they have sufficient evidence to prove you are guilty of the crime they charged you with. As a result, the best thing you can do is exercise your right to remain an attorney (a constitutional right) and contact an attorney.

Here, you can learn more about common mistakes people make when facing criminal charges and how to avoid them if you find yourself in this situation.

Mistake: Believing You Are “Above the Law”

This is a mistake many people make. They believe that since they are a “good person” or that they have not done anything wrong, the law does not apply to them.

Unfortunately, this is not how things work. The law applies to anyone, regardless of your name or who you are.

Another issue is that some people do not know they are doing something illegal. This makes the situation more dangerous because you may not realize you did something wrong.

You need to realize you are not above the law. It applies to everyone, and if you are arrested, you will not be let off with a warning. If you have been arrested, you must comply with the Police and remember that you are facing real criminal charges.

Even if you can allege that you made a mistake due to a mental condition, defenses like insanity or mistake of fact are complex and challenging to prove. If you plan to claim this, you need an attorney who understands the law related to mental health conditions and criminal charges.

It is best to hire a criminal defense attorney when you face criminal charges since the situation can be complex and come with penalties like jail time.

Mistake: Resisting Arrest

If you have not been arrested or are in the process of being arrested, do not resist.

You may feel like you should resist or flee in this situation; however, that is not a good idea. If you do this, it will make a bad situation worse. For example, you will likely face additional criminal charges if you struggle or fight the officer and injure them.

Remain respectful and invoke your right to remain silent. You do not want to say anything that could be used against you in your case.

Mistake: Giving too Much Information to the Police

You should cooperate with the Police (as mentioned above), but only to a certain point. For example, it is smart to comply with requests to “sit down” or “stand there.” However, this does not mean you must offer information that could hurt your defense.

Refusing to answer questions is not considered to resist arrest until you have spoken to your criminal defense attorney.

If you talk to the Police or try to tell your “side” of the story, it may cause you to disclose information that could be incriminating. Police want you to do this as it strengthens their case. Keep this in mind when you are answering questions. You should request to speak to your lawyer before agreeing to answer any questions asked by the Police or investigators.

Mistake: Waiting to Speak to a Criminal Defense Attorney

When it comes to any criminal charge, you must talk to an attorney quickly. You may not realize that the situation is time sensitive. You need to give your attorney as much time as possible to help you build a solid defense against the charges you are facing.

Also, if you do not have the advice of an attorney, you may make mistakes that will weaken your entire case.

Some people do not hire a lawyer because they believe they will be found guilty. However, even in this situation, an attorney may help reduce the charges against you or even negotiate a plea deal. Attorneys are invaluable when it comes to criminal charges.

Mistake: Accepting a Plea Deal to Quickly

If you are facing criminal charges, you may have to decide if you will accept a plea deal. Before deciding about this, talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Facing criminal charges can be a stressful and unnerving situation. You may face prison time, fines, and an ongoing criminal record. Your driving privileges may be revoked, too, depending on the charges.

If you face criminal charges, you may want to deal with the situation quickly and move on. Unfortunately, cases like this are not as easy as they may appear. You need an attorney to help you get the best plea deal possible.

When you are arrested, and criminal charges are filed against you, the prosecution may offer a plea deal. This is when you plead guilty to a reduced charge to avoid going to trial. Your attorney can let you know if the plea deal should be accepted or if you should go to trial. Without this advice, you may accept a plea deal, is not in your best interest.

Mistake: Getting in the Way of Your Defense

You may believe you are innocent. Because of this, you may want to play an active role in your defense.

However, this is something you should avoid. You should not try to handle the defense on your own. In most cases, this will lead to a less-than-desirable outcome for your case.

Mistake: Trying to Hide Evidence or Information from Your Lawyer

You must tell your attorney everything about your case. They need this information to best represent you and to ensure they are not blindsided in court.

The things you tell your attorney will not be exposed in court. You must tell your attorney even if you think something is incriminating or irrelevant. They will know how to use it from a strategic point for your defense.

Let Our Legal Team Help with Your Case

If you are facing criminal charges in Colorado, it is important that you avoid the mistakes here. Making these mistakes can cost you when it comes to defending your case.

Your attorney is your advocate in this situation and can help you build a solid defense. However, you must play your part and avoid the mistakes mentioned here.

Talk to your attorney if you are unsure about something, including what to say or do related to your case.

The first step in building a solid criminal defense is to contact our office to schedule a consultation. We can learn about your situation and develop a strategy to help you achieve the best possible outcome to your situation. We will aggressively fight for your rights and your freedom.

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