What would you do if you were arrested for a crime that you did not commit? Up to ten percent of the people who are incarcerated in the United States are convicted of a crime they didn’t commit. And while you might think that something like this can never happen to you, you should know that life is unpredictable, and you never know what awaits you at the next corner.
Here is how to protect your rights if you get falsely accused of a crime that you did not commit.
Demand a Lawyer
Remember four words that you have to say in such a situation: I want a lawyer. If you are committed to a crime, there is a chance that you might know something peripheral about the crime scene. Maybe you heard something.
The thing is that you don’t have to spill your guts right away. The criminal law is there to protect you, which is why you should wait until you have a lawyer. Only when you have your lawyer with you can you make your statements and tell them what you have to say.
Memorize Phone Numbers
Ideally, you should be able to recall a few numbers from your memory. Here is the thing: if you are arrested and you are given the opportunity to make a phone call or two phone calls – you have to know the numbers.
The thing is that most people believe that nothing bad can happen to them, which is why they never have a contingency plan ready to deal with sudden situations, such as getting robbed or getting arrested due to false criminal allegations.
When it comes to the contingency plan for false criminal charges, you need to know numbers that you can call and ask for help. If you don’t know the phone numbers, then you are doomed, as you are less likely to get your phone when you are under arrest.
Never Deny Your Miranda Rights
There is a good reason for you to have Miranda rights, which is why you should never waive them off. People who have been wrongfully convicted often waive their Miranda rights because they believe that they have nothing to fear by saying what has been on their minds.
They think that if they were to tell the truth, they could go home because they hadn’t done anything. However, this is never the best course of action. If you were to ask any of the best criminal attorneys, they would tell you the same thing.
Don’t make the mistake of waiving off your Miranda rights, and remember that you have the right to have a lawyer. Once you start insisting on that right, the questioning must stop.
The Takeaway
Most of the TV shows depict how the bad guys get caught, and the community is saved, which makes everyone feel better. Sadly, this is not the reality. Even in a perfect law system, mistakes can be made. Even if everyone would do the best they could to ensure that justice is done – there are always going to be mistakes.
So, get a lawyer and only talk to the lawyer alone to deal with a false accusation.