What to do if you are wrongfully accused of a crime

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It is possible for an innocent person to be wrongfully accused of a crime. This can be due to circumstantial evidence, wrong information, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you are innocent but is wrongfully accused of a crime, there are steps you need to take to protect yourself.

Image source: foottlaw.com.au

First and foremost, do not resist and remain silent. Unlike what they say about guilty parties remaining silent during an arrest, speaking out to the police could have repercussions. For one, they could misinterpret your words and use them against you. As much as you would want to explain the situation, remain silent until you are in the presence of an attorney.

If you are accused of a crime and law enforcement makes an attempt to search your home, do not allow them. All policemen need is your permission to search your home. If they play the “if you’re innocent, there’s nothing for you to hide” game, don’t fall for it.

It is also possible to be charged with a lesser crime like a misdemeanor where the most convenient way of getting out of the situation is by a guilty plea. However, doing so will create a whole set of problems. You will permanently have a criminal record, possible incarceration, fines, as well as other drawbacks. This also means that the guilty party remains at large.

Hello, I’m Eric Wetlaufer, an aspiring lawyer currently enrolled at the University of Illinois. I started this blog to share some of the lessons I learned in my classes. As a law student, I would like to look at this effort of mine as a means for me to inform them of the basic laws and their legal rights should they be caught in a bind. For more reads on basic law, visit this blog.

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