Even though it may appear to be something that only happens in movies, being unjustly accused of a crime is a real-world problem that happens all too often across the United States.
If you’ve been wrongfully accused of a crime in Missouri, you know how difficult it may be. Although you may feel as if you’ve awoken in a horror movie, there are specific crucial measures you must take if you’ve been wrongly accused of a crime. The steps you take at this moment could be your saving grace.
Hire a Missouri Criminal Defense Lawyer
Before anything else, you should contact a criminal defense attorney if you’ve been wrongfully accused of a crime in Missouri.
Sadly, because many persons facing false accusations are aware that they did not commit the crime, they often fail to take the allegations seriously. Don’t be one of those people! When someone accuses you of a crime, the allegations are often severe and might include domestic violence, abuse, harassment, or even homicide.
Gather All the Evidence for Your Case
Anything that might be classified as evidence should be gathered, organized, and sent to your Missouri criminal defense lawyer. This might contain items such as:
- Photographs
- Videos
- Clothing
- Journals
- Data from GPS
- Voicemails
- Messages
The more evidence you can give your attorney about the alleged offense, the better. It’s a wise idea to gather witnesses for your case in addition to tangible proof and documentation. Anyone you know who might be able to help you improve your case should be taken into account. Go to your lawyer if you’re unsure who to approach or what to ask of those who can aid you.
What Not to Do if You Are Falsely Accused of a Crime
If you’re facing false accusations, keep the following tips in mind:
- Do not discard any evidence that you believe might be used against you. Whether or not the evidence is detrimental, it may put you in a questionable light, perhaps leading to more criminal accusations.
- Do not speak with the victim about the matter or make any contact with the victim or witnesses.
- Do not talk to law enforcement or any other authorities without an attorney present, or voluntarily submit to any testing, such as DNA tests, or offer evidence to police without first contacting a lawyer – even if you feel the evidence will demonstrate you are not guilty.
While avoiding a conviction and clearing the accused’s reputation is the ultimate objective, this may not always be achievable. If there is no proof that the suspect did not commit the crime that outweighs the evidence provided by the prosecution, or if the prosecution is expected to have further evidence that makes a favorable conclusion less likely, the accused might wish to explore a plea agreement.
As part of a plea agreement, you may be able to request delayed adjudication. As long as the accused adheres to the judge’s requirements, they will not be required to serve a sentence for the crime, and their conviction will be expunged from their record.
Getting unjustly accused of a crime in Missouri can be frightening, but with the appropriate support, you may be able to overcome it and move forward with your life. Before you do anything else, if you’ve been wrongfully accused of a crime, speak with a criminal defense lawyer about your options.
