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Charged With a Crime Dos and Don'ts

Charged With a Crime Dos and Don'ts

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Charged With a Crime Dos and Don'ts
February 16, 2024

It can be extremely overwhelming if you or a loved one is under investigation or has been arrested and charged with a crime. There are some very important dos and don’ts you should keep in mind in order to give you and your attorney the best chance of defending the allegations against you. Even if you don’t hire us, make sure you follow these simple steps:

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Dos

  1. Consult with an attorney as soon as you think you may have a problem, preferably before you have been charged or arrested.
  2. Bond out of jail as soon as possible.
  3. An attorney may accept an assignment on the bond money you post(ed) as payment toward your legal fees in order to lighten the heavy financial burden you face when dealing with a criminal case; find an attorney willing to do this.
  4. Hire an attorney you trust, listen carefully to what your attorney tells you to do, and DO what your attorney tells you to do.
  5. Be honest with your attorney. We can’t help you if we don’t know the truth.
  6. Show up to court on time, and well dressed – collared shirt and slacks are preferred by the courts.
  7. If you need someone to talk to the lawyer on your behalf (because you are in custody or otherwise unavailable), appoint just one person.

Don’ts

  1. Don’t talk to the police without an attorney present. Don’t wait until you’ve been charged to talk to an attorney.
  2. Don’t hire a bail bondsman*. Post the bond money directly with the clerk or the jail so that you can apply it toward attorney fees. If you use a bondsman, you won’t get any of the money back.
  3. Don’t talk on the jail telephone about your case. Your calls are being recorded and WILL be used against you.
  4. Don’t talk to your cell mate or other inmates about your case – they are not your friends and may be looking for information they can share with the prosecutor to receive a lesser sentence.
  5. Don’t talk to witnesses or the alleged victim(s) in the case (in person, on the phone, through social media, or in any other manner) without first consulting your attorney.
  6. Don’t talk to your co-defendants about the case (in person, on the phone, through social media, or via text).

 

*In rare circumstances, the County may require a bondsman, but be sure to discuss with your attorney first.