Facing Criminal Charges? Avoid these Common Mistakes
Being charged with a crime is one of the most difficult things a person can go through. However, defendants often make things more difficult on themselves by making mistakes. Avoid the following mistakes, and your odds of a successful outcome will greatly increase.
Speaking to police
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you shouldn’t speak to police about the crime under any circumstances, and this includes written and oral statements following arrest. In fact, you shouldn’t discuss your charges in detail with anyone but your attorney.
Taking an active role in your legal defense
Certain criminal charges put your freedom at stake, and it’s understandable for you to want to take an active role in your defense. However, don’t forget that your attorney is a legal professional. Generally speaking, you should listen to your attorney’s advice and allow him or her to guide you through the process.
Looking sloppy in court
It may not seem fair, but appearance matters. If you arrive in court looking unkempt and dirty, you aren’t doing yourself any favors. It is a fact of life that people are judged by their appearances. And although judges and juries are supposed to focus solely on the law, they don’t always do so, and their personal biases sometimes affect their decisions.
Social media posting
Posting about your charges on social media is one of the worst things you can do as a criminal defendant. Social media posts may be admitted as evidence, and it is in your best interests to totally avoid sites like Facebook and Instagram until your criminal case has concluded.
Failing to hire an attorney
Of all the mistakes that defendants make, failing to hire an attorney is probably the absolute biggest one. Without the assistance of an attorney, you are liable to make mistakes that can’t be undone. To put it simply, when your freedom is at stake, you need all the help you can get, and an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney will do everything in his or her power to fight your charges.
Texas Criminal Defense Attorney
Due to the severity of the consequences, legal representation is imperative when facing criminal charges in Texas. Therefore, if you’re facing criminal charges of any kind in Texas, it’s important that you engage the services of an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney in order to achieve the best possible results in your case. Since 1995, I have successfully defended clients against all types of criminal charges. My team has a proven track record of winning acquittals at trial, and we also frequently have our clients’ charges dismissed or reduced. In addition, when a case results in a conviction, we are always ready and willing to appeal the decision. If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, please contact Phil Baker, P.C., for a consultation.
Posted in: Criminal Defense
