Marcus Richards
No matter what kind of crime you are accused of committing, facing a felony charge is definitely a very serious matter that should not be treated lightly. If you are found guilty of a crime, you will probably be subject to jail time, fines, or other sorts of punishments that might haunt you long after your sentence has been completed.
So, if you want to have a chance of avoiding these severe criminal repercussions in case you face a felony charge, you need to follow the right procedures from the beginning of your case and protect yourself in the best way possible. The actions you must take if you are accused of a felony are as follows.
Instantaneously Speak With An Attorney
Contacting an experienced, highly-skilled criminal defense attorney is the single most important move you can do to defend yourself against a criminal accusation. Your case suffers with each second you are detained without a lawyer arguing on your behalf. You must retain a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you are suspected of a crime.
The prosecutor will be familiar with all the legal details that you might not be aware of, and more importantly, they will know how to persuade you to accept a plea deal that will appear to be your best course of action. By having your attorney, you may level the playing field and prevent yourself from accepting a bargain that might appear simple but is not in your best interests.
To avoid setting yourself up for a straightforward conviction, your lawyer can also assist you in understanding and asserting your rights. You will be up against the police and the prosecution; you need an experienced ally to fight for your release.
Be Sincere With Your Lawyer
To adequately prepare for the case and offer you the best defense, your criminal defense lawyer will need to have the most up-to-date knowledge about your case. Therefore, you must always be completely truthful with your attorney throughout the whole felony criminal procedure.
You should be aware that whatever you tell your lawyer is secret since many individuals are reluctant to be honest with them. The attorney-client privilege shields your connection from prying eyes. If your attorney decides to discuss the specifics of your case, they may be disciplined by the state bar, which may result in the loss of their ability to practice law.
For that reason, you must provide yourself with a good and reputable lawyer from the area where the felony took place. For instance, if you happen to have a felony case in NYC, you should immediately contact the law offices of Robert Tsigler for a consultation and any help regarding your defense.
Understand The Felony Offense You Are Up Against
The majority of individuals are unaware of the distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony. That indicates that they are frequently unaware of the seriousness of the alleged crime and the severe possible penalties they would face in the event of a felony conviction.
A misdemeanor typically carries a prison sentence, a fine, or both. More severe possible punishments, such as a prison or county jail sentence, are associated with felonies. You can also be required to make reparation to the crime victim. If you are found guilty of a crime, you can potentially lose some of your rights when you are released from jail. You may, for instance, forfeit your ability to vote and your gun ownership rights. You might lose your chance to join the military or lose your professional license.
For those reasons, you must comprehend the nature and seriousness of the criminal accusations you are facing and go from there with your lawyer.
Note Down What You Remember
Writing down the case’s details as soon as possible is one of the most important pieces of advice lawyers provide to clients who are facing felony charges. Write down everything you remember about the circumstances leading up to your arrest as soon as you can. You will be better able to provide your attorney with the correct information if it is still fresh in your mind. Include your location and the people you were with when the crime occurred. The prosecution will start gathering information on you as soon as you are arrested to compile a case against you. This is why you should get the most precise information you can.
Together With Your Attorney, Create A Witness List
You should record the names and contact information of everyone who might be able to testify positively on your behalf at the same time as you record your version of the events. List any witnesses who may have observed the alleged crime being committed first. These witnesses can be contacted again by your attorney to determine whether or not your account of the events is accurate.
Final Thoughts
When facing a criminal charge, it’s easy to feel lost and overwhelmed, unsure of how best to move forward. As with anything in life, planning can help make a time of crisis much easier. Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that there is a way forward, even if you have been charged with a felony. Some steps can be taken to help make the situation better, and with the right lawyer, it can be handled in the best manner possible.
