What To Do If You Were Accused Of A Crime
For many people, their only exposure to law enforcement comes in the form of books, movies or television programs. When confronted with an arrest, accusation or investigation, most individuals face confusion, frustration and panic.
At Dodge & Dodge, P.C., our attorneys understand the wide range of emotions you are experiencing right now. With more than a half-century of legal experience, our defense lawyers will thoroughly examine the claims against you and provide the representation you need. Our goal is to minimize your exposure to criminal penalties such as jail time or fines. Call or email us to discuss your situation in greater detail.
You Might Think You Are Helping …
If you are accused of a crime, it is wise to stay calm and contact a Grand Rapids defense attorney. We know what to do if you are accused of a crime and can pass our insight along to you.
- If you know your accuser, do not try to contact him or her. You might think you are helping the situation by explaining yourself. You might even think that you can negotiate your way out of a challenging situation. In fact, you are probably making the situation worse. We can give you countless examples of how an accused’s text messages, emails, Facebook postings or unknowingly recorded statements had significant negative effects on a criminal case. Nearly any contact with your accuser can be seen as a threat or an attempt at intimidation.
- No person should try to remove his or her own appendix. Similarly, no person should attempt to navigate the unknown waters of a criminal investigation. You should contact an attorney. With a defense lawyer on your side, you gain a level of confidence and experience that you wouldn’t otherwise have. Whether you are sitting next to your lawyer in a police interrogation or you simply call your lawyer for advice, you will directly benefit from our experience.
- Don’t talk to the police on your own. Again, you might think you can simply explain your side of the story, but chances are good that you are walking into a trap. The last thing we want to do is villainize law enforcement officers, but the simple fact is that they are doing their job. They are superior investigators, trained to elicit information.
The most important thing is to remain calm. It might seem like everyone is against you, but with an experienced defense attorney by your side, you have a better chance at success. Call or email our office as soon as possible so we can begin developing a strong defense.