It can be frightening to discover that you are the subject of a criminal investigation by law enforcement officials in Mecklenburg County and may be arrested. However, you can take steps that could help you avoid being charged with any crime or assist you in developing a strong defense to fight the charges you face.
One of the most important steps you can take is to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Charlotte immediately. Here are ways that an attorney can help you during the pre-arrest investigation stage of your criminal case.
How a Charlotte Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
You may be tempted to wait to see if you are arrested before hiring an attorney to save money. However, you could make serious mistakes that would hurt your defense if you face criminal charges.
In addition, being proactive may help you avoid the potentially harsh consequences you face. Here are six benefits of having a lawyer represent you during the pre-arrest investigation stage.
#1: Have an In-Depth Conversation With You
Your lawyer would start out by having a lengthy conversation to find out what you know and why the police are investigating you. At Browning & Long, PLLC, we know how important it is to start developing a defense strategy as soon as possible—even before we know whether you will be arrested.
Our first step would be to have an in-depth call or appointment with you to learn all the details about the investigation against you and your prior criminal history. During this conversation, we can also explain what to expect in your criminal case if the police decide to charge you.
#2: Conduct a Pre-Arrest Investigation and Gather Evidence
A criminal defense lawyer would conduct a thorough, independent defense investigation to determine the facts and to collect evidence that would help in your defense. This could include obtaining cell phone records or other documents from third parties or hiring a private investigator.
Your attorney would also interview favorable witnesses that support your defenses and prepare them to testify on your behalf. Doing this early on can avoid surprises later on and help to develop a stronger defense strategy.
#3: Prepare for Unfavorable Evidence
By conducting a pre-arrest investigation, your lawyer will be able to uncover the harmful evidence and witnesses testimony against you. It is beneficial to you to know what damaging evidence the police may have against you early on. This can help your attorney develop strategies to challenge the admissibility of this evidence, to dispute it, and to otherwise reduce the negative impact it can have on your case.
#4: Communicate With the Police
Your lawyer could also contact the law enforcement officials investigating you to monitor their investigation. They could find out what evidence the police have to support criminal charges against you.
A criminal defense attorney may also be able to correct incorrect information that law enforcement is relying on or provide information that supports your innocence to convince them not to file charges against you. This can be very beneficial if you have been falsely accused of committing a crime—which unfortunately happens in Mecklenburg County.
#5: Represent You During Police Interrogations
The police may want to bring you down to the police station to interview you—preferably on your own so they can try to convince you to confess or make statements they can use against you. However, you have a constitutional right to remain silent and to have your lawyer present when you are being interrogated.
If you hire a lawyer right away, they will notify law enforcement officials that they represent you. The police could not question you without your attorney being present. They can help you exercise your right to remain silent, advise you during the interrogation, or arrange a voluntary interview by the police if this could help you convince them to drop the investigation.
#6: Negotiate With the Prosecutor
Your defense lawyer may decide to contact the prosecutor before you are arrested to convince them not to file charges against you. If your attorney has uncovered favorable evidence or witness statements during their investigation, they may decide to share this information with the prosecutor to show that the case against you is not strong enough to prosecute—even if you are guilty.
Do you need representation during a pre-arrest criminal investigation? Are you already facing criminal charges? Our skilled criminal defense attorneys can help you fight the charges you face so that you achieve the best possible outcome in your criminal case. Call our Charlotte office today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can assist you.
Are You Looking for a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Charlotte, NC?
If you are facing criminal charges, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Charlotte office directly at 980.207.3355 to schedule your free consultation.
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