If you were falsely accused of a crime in Virginia, reach out to our firm today to ensure that your name is cleared and you can move forward with your life. Our skilled Richmond criminal defense attorney is on your side no matter what.
What steps should I take if I was falsely accused of a crime?
Even if you are innocent, you may not know how to proceed or what your legal rights are. Your first step should be to hire the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney who has managed cases where the accused faced criminal charges just like yours. The significance of hiring a lawyer immediately—even if you are still just a suspect—cannot be stressed enough. A lawyer can help you create a strategy to combat the charges you face or could face. Here are some ways that you can save yourself in this situation:
- Acknowledge the gravity of the accusations. You need to recognize the seriousness of the offenses and the possible penalties that you could encounter as a result. Even though you are innocent, you cannot presume that the police, prosecutor, judge, or jury will see the case your way. By taking the charges seriously from the start, you can make decisions and take actions that will increase the chance of a favorable outcome.
- Understand the cost of defense. Building a strong defense to the charges can be expensive in terms of the attorney fees, investigation costs, and expert witness fees that you may need to pay. While it can seem unfair to have to spend money to defend against false charges, you need to do whatever it takes to build a strong case—your future is at risk.
- Intervene before charges. One of the advantages of retaining an attorney while you are a suspect is that he may be able to take assertive measures that could result in never being charged with a crime. In some cases, the attorney may be able to discuss your case with the police or prosecutor and provide information that persuades them that they have the wrong person.
- Gather any physical evidence and documents. If there is any physical evidence, such as clothing, photographs, or other objects that could help in your defense, you want to collect them as soon as possible and give them to your attorney. Collect any documentation that may help you, such as correspondence, emails, receipts, GPS data, or other information to prove where you were when the crime was committed.
- Obtain witness contact information. You should make a list of potential witnesses who can supply useful information about the incident, accusations, and the victim to supply your attorney.
Contact Our Firm
Led by Attorney James A. Bullard Jr., we handle various criminal and traffic cases, including reckless driving tickets, DUIs, violent crimes, drug crimes, and so much more. Contact James A. Bullard Jr. P.C. today to get started on your defense.
