No one ever wants to get accused of a crime, but the truth of the matter is that it does happen. When it happens, it’s important to know which steps you need to take to defend yourself. According to the NAACP, roughly 7% of adults in the United States are under correctional supervision after being accused of a crime. Let’s look at some steps you should take if this happens to you.

Obtain a Lawyer

The first thing you should do is ask for a lawyer. If you’re suspected of a crime, you could get arrested and immediately booked into jail. You might also be given a court date and not get arrested right away. In other instances, you might only be told that you’re a person of interest and then released for later, further investigation. If any of these have happened to you, it’s smart to seek out the services of a criminal law professional. They’ll be able to advise you on what your next steps should be and help ensure that your rights are protected during this ordeal.

Don’t Resist

If you are arrested, you should not resist arrest. Even if you know for certain you’re innocent, you must submit to the arrest. Your innocence will be proven later, but if you resist arrest, you can then be charged with resisting arrest, which is a completely separate charge from whatever you’re being accused of. The more cooperative you are, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to quickly prove your innocence with the help of a criminal law professional.

Remain Silent

Not only should you cooperate, but you should also make sure you’re telling the truth at all times when asked questions. You can choose not to answer, but you should never lie. If you do not wish to share any information with the arresting officers, then you should remain silent. You have a right to do so. You are only required to give your name and request a lawyer.

Attend All Court Dates

It’s vitally important that you attend all of your court dates after you’ve been accused of a crime. It doesn’t matter if you were arrested or not. If you’re issued a court date, you must appear. This is your best chance at proving your innocence or getting a reduced sentence. Not showing up for a court date will result in more charges.

These are just a few steps you should take after being accused of a crime. If you’re looking for a criminal law professional in your area, please contact Sodomsky & Nigrini today. With over 85 years of combined experience, we are ready to fight for your case.