When you have been charged with a criminal offense, or you learn that you are being investigated for a crime, the question is not whether you need a lawyer. You always need a criminal defense lawyer to fight for your legal rights and to work for the best possible outcome in your case. The more relevant question is the timing of when you get legal help. Given what can happen when your rights are unprotected, even for a moment, the answer to this question is that you should hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Much Happens in the Early Moments of Your Case
Your legal rights are at stake from the very moment that you have any contact with law enforcement. Whether you have been arrested or law enforcement has otherwise reached out to you, anything that you do and say can be held against you.
For example, a police officer may gently ask you whether they can search your car. In actuality, police need a search warrant, or to rely on a valid exception to it, to conduct a search of your vehicle or premises. At the same time, law enforcement may attempt to question you to gather information. You are under no obligation to speak with law enforcement, nor should you do so without a criminal defense lawyer present and upon their recommendation. However, you may panic due to the stress of the situation and do something that you should not.
How Does a Mistake Affect My Criminal Case?
When you have made a mistake, it is very difficult to undo it. Meanwhile, the prosecutor may have gained a wealth of evidence that they can use against you in your criminal case. There is a reason why a police officer is required to advise you of your rights when you are arrested.
If you have allowed a police officer to search your vehicle, you have waived your rights by giving them consent. They are allowed to use any evidence that they have gained when you have given them access to it. To be clear, there are times when you may be able to challenge evidence that a police officer obtained when they have violated your legal rights. However, you do not want to be in this position under any circumstances.
How Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Affect My Legal Rights?
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer right after you have been arrested, they will immediately go to work to protect your legal rights. When you have a lawyer representing you, the police cannot speak to you without your lawyer being present. A criminal defense lawyer can also advise you not to allow a search without a warrant. They can even be present when a search warrant is being executed to ensure that the police officers stick to the scope of the warrant.
Your criminal defense lawyer can also immediately investigate the circumstances of your case to gather evidence that you may be able to use in your defense. There may be a limited amount of time for a criminal defense lawyer to speak to witnesses while they can be located and to preserve any evidence that you need for your case. At the same time, a criminal defense lawyer can review the facts of your case and the charges against you to help determine what defenses you can use.
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer immediately can give you some peace of mind when you are facing a stressful situation. The criminal justice system can be an intimidating and scary place, and you need someone who can both give you legal advice and protect you from any mistakes that you can make.
A Fayetteville Criminal Defense Lawyer at Osborne Law Firm Can Assist You if You Have Been Charged With a Crime and Need Legal Guidance
If you have been charged with a crime, you need to immediately reach out to a Fayetteville criminal defense lawyer at Osborne Law Firm. To schedule a free consultation, submit our online form or call today at 479-521-7727. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, we gladly serve clients in the surrounding areas.