When Accused Of A Crime Get A Weatherford Criminal Defense Lawyer

By Olivia Cross


Falling foul of the law can be one of the most stressful experiences any person can ever experience. An arrest or even a formal investigation can ruin careers and families. There are nevertheless thousands of arrests each years and many of those arrested never dreamed that they will find themselves in such a disastrous situation. If this happens, however, the most important thing to do is to get help from a Weatherford criminal defense lawyer.

It is also important to remember that the law enforcement agencies are bound by strict rules and a code of conduct. Among other things, they must respect the basic rights of all citizens. They may not force a suspect to answer questions or to make a statement. The accused has the right to have an attorney present and if he cannot afford one, the state must provide an attorney. It is generally agreed that it is better for accused individuals to exercise their rights.

Many people think that if they insist upon exercising their rights they confirm their guilt. They subsequently waive their rights and make written statements and answer recorded questions. This is a mistake because people under severe stress, such as in an arrest situation, often do not think clearly and they may incriminate themselves. Such statements may be used in court later and the accused may bitterly regret having made a statement in the first instance.

The first priority of the attorney will be to make sure that his client is treated according to the law and that he is informed about his rights. The attorney will caution his client to refrain from doing or saying anything unless the attorney is present. The next step will be to make arrangements for bail. In most cases this can be done on the same day the arrest has taken place.

Once released on bail, the accused has to be very careful to keep to the conditions of bail. If he interferes with the investigation or if he refuses to cooperate, his bail may be cancelled. In most cases the accused is required to report to his local police station on a regular basis. Once bail is cancelled the accused may be held in custody until the case can be heard. This can take months.

It is a sad fact that many cases are lost simply because the accused lied to his attorney or he failed to provide all the relevant facts. Once the accused is caught lying his case is weakened considerably and his testimony will be viewed with suspicion. It is very important to be honest with the attorney, even if the relevant facts are distasteful or even incriminating.

Legal representation can be horrendously expensive. Those without the resources to hire an attorney will have to make do with the services of a state appointed legal representative. Unfortunately, state attorneys carry very heavy case loads and they cannot spend a lot of time on each individual case. That is why it is so important to purchase a policy that will pay for legal fees when it is needed.

Nobody wants to be on the wrong side of the law. However, this happens to otherwise upstanding citizens all the time. The best course of action is to get a lawyer as soon as possible. The law is complex and intricate and it would be foolish to face charges without professional help.




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