When faced with criminal charges for a crime they didn’t commit, many people believe that hiring a lawyer is not only unnecessary, but may be detrimental to their case. This is a dangerous notion that can often lead to negative consequences.
As soon as you or a loved one has become a suspect in a crime, it is imperative that you seek out the advice and counsel of a trained legal expert. Mistakes happen in our criminal justice system and while we are supposed to maintain the ideal of “innocent until proven guilty,” once the full weight of the legal system gets rolling against you, it can be very difficult to stop.
There are many reasons why a person might be falsely accused. Some examples include:
- Mistaken eyewitnesses
- Faulty forensic evidence
- False accusation
- Official misconduct
- False confession
Why You Should Get a Lawyer Early On
The earliest days of a police investigation are often the most important. This is when investigating officers will begin to gather evidence to build their case. This initial investigation will likely include an attempt to interview a person—and this in turn will form law enforcement’s conclusion(s) about what has occurred.
An interview given early in an investigation can be hard to overcome later on. That’s why it is a mistake for you to assume that the truth will win out if you take a “wait and see” approach. Rather, if you find that you are suspected of a crime that you didn’t commit, it is imperative that you act quickly to make sure these suspicions do not lead to mistakes by the police department that will only become more complicated as the investigation continues.
How the Innocent Can Be Found Guilty
Numerous studies have pointed out that eyewitness testimony can often be unreliable. The reasons include faulty memory, poorly administered identification lineups, and institutional bias. According to the Innocence Project, “Eyewitness misidentification is the greatest contributing factor to wrongful convictions proven by DNA testing, playing a role in more than 70% of convictions overturned through DNA testing nationwide.”
Faulty forensic evidence is another contributor to false convictions—and it can be particularly damning. This is when police and prosecutors rely on questionable and unreliable forensic techniques, misapply forensic science, or exaggerate its reliability in court testimony.
There Is Help Available
No matter what your particular circumstances are, if you have been charged with, accused of, or even suspected of a crime, you need to take immediate action to ensure that the situation doesn’t worsen. Don’t hesitate because you are worried how hiring a lawyer might look. You need to do everything in your power to protect yourself. Our team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., lead by Timothy Bussey, can help protect your constitutional rights when you are facing criminal charges. Contact Timothy R. Bussey at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today by calling (719) 475-2555 and scheduling a free consultation.