A felony charge is no laughing matter, as crimes in this category are among the most serious. Because of this, you can’t afford to slip up in the immediate aftermath of an arrest for this type of offense.
So what steps should you take if a felony charge has landed in your lap? Here are a handful of essentials that could save you from doing serious time behind bars.
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Invoke your right to silence
It’s a piece of advice which rings true regardless of the crime you are accused of; keeping quiet and only opening your mouth to ask for a lawyer is better than running your mouth, whether you are innocent or guilty.
Every word you utter could be used as evidence to convict you in court, so it simply isn’t worth giving the police and prosecutors any ammunition.
It might feel odd to keep your thoughts to yourself in the face of questioning from a cop, but until you have had time to consult with an attorney and they are in the room to support you, silence is the best strategy.
Get legal representation
Another inalienable right everyone has is to hire an attorney to represent them when charged with a felony, or any crime for that matter.
Not just any lawyer will do in this context, of course. You’ll need a seasoned criminal defense attorney, like those who work at the John Marshall law firm, in order to guarantee the best outcome in the long run.
Having a lawyer on your side as soon as possible is ideal for all sorts of reasons. Aside from the advice and representation they will give you if the case makes it to court, they will also be capable of stewarding you through the tricky process of posting bail and handling all sorts of other matters.
Tell your lawyer everything
While you should stay silent in front of the authorities after an arrest on a felony charge, you can speak freely when you are alone with your attorney.
Lawyers are legally bound to keep the things that their clients tell them a secret, and if they fall short on this count then they will be disbarred and effectively prevented from practicing their profession. So there’s a real incentive for them to protect your confidentiality in this context.
Don’t be as open with friends & family
If you’ve ever watched a crime documentary, you’ve probably heard recordings of phone calls and conversations that suspects had with their nearest and dearest, often revealing things that would later leave them in hot water during the trial.
Because of this, even if you are able to speak with the people who matter most to you, it’s always a good idea to not give details about your arrest.
In some places, such as California, there are legal protections for spouses. However, this is not universally the case, so it’s wise not to run the risk of getting caught out and instead keep chit chat to a minimum.
Adhere to your obligations
Just because you are using your right to silence after an arrest for a felony, that doesn’t mean you should be actively hostile towards the police. Politeness will get you a long way in this precarious scenario.
Likewise if the case moves forward, be rigorous in your attendance of any court dates that are scheduled, and demonstrate that you are respectful of the proceedings, even if you are pleading your innocence.
Play by the rules at this point, and do as your attorney instructs you, and you will be able to face down felony charges with your head held high.
