What to Do if You’re Accused of a Crime You Didn’t Commit
Accusations are cheap. Anyone can make a criminal accusation without evidence or authenticity. And while it’s easy to quickly discount an accusation that’s clearly not true, you have to take it seriously. A failure to do so could cost you dearly.
How to Handle a False Accusation
False accusations aren’t just frustrating – they can be expensive in more ways than one. Here’s how to handle a false accusation so that it doesn’t cost you your freedom:
- Hire an Attorney
Perhaps you’ve heard it said that innocent people don’t hire lawyers? Well, that’s patently false. Some innocent people don’t hire lawyers, and it usually ends up with a guilty conviction. Other innocent people do hire lawyers, and they stand a much greater likelihood of presenting a strong defense.
“Innocence is not something you just take for granted,” attorney Rowdy G. Williams explains. “While there’s an idea underpinning the legal system that says you’re ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ it really doesn’t mean much these days. You have to act as if people see you as guilty until you prove, without a doubt, that you didn’t do it.”
Hiring an attorney is the first step in the right direction. It gives you someone on your team who can help you formulate a strong defense that highlights your innocence and tactfully deconstructs each accusation that’s thrown your way.
- Collect and Preserve Evidence
Once you’ve retained legal counsel and representation, work with your attorney to collect and preserve as much evidence as possible. This may include physical, digital, and/or circumstantial evidence.
Your attorney will head up this process, but work closely with your legal team. You are your own best resource for sniffing out evidence that will help your case. Don’t sit in the background and assume they’ll get everything they need. Cooperation is very important.
- Avoid These Mistakes
While there are plenty of things you should do when facing false accusations, there are also some things you should not do. Here are three specific mistakes you must be careful to avoid:
- Do NOT destroy evidence. Evidence is the heartbeat of a criminal case. So if you notice evidence that could paint you in a bad light or bring your innocence into question, you might feel a natural inclination to get rid of it while you have the chance. However, this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. If you’re caught – and most of the time you will be – it’ll look far worse than if the evidence was recorded in the first place.
- Do NOT contact your accuser. When someone falsely accuses you of a crime, the natural response is to find that person and confront them. But, once again, this is not recommended. Though your intentions may be pure, these situations can easily get out of hand. The last thing you can afford is for the conversation to get heated or physical. Keep your distance and let your attorney handle things.
- Do NOT post on social media. Stay away from social media when you’re in the middle of a criminal investigation. Every post, picture, video, comment, and “like” will be tracked and analyzed. There’s simply no reason to give them any extra fodder.
- Do NOT talk to law enforcement without an attorney. You have a right to an attorney. And you do not have to talk to law enforcement without your attorney present. We highly recommend using this right and consulting with your lawyer before ever opening your mouth.
By avoiding these mistakes, you preserve your innocence and reduce the risk of saying or doing something that could unintentionally cause people to question you. Remaining quiet can be scary, but it’s actually a sign of strength and poise. Letting your attorney do the talking is always a smart move.
Don’t Take Innocence for Granted
When your entire life is defined by freedom, it’s easy to take innocence for granted. But if you’ve been accused of a crime (or, even worse, charged with one), you can’t afford to sit back and wait for the justice system to play out in your favor. A proactive approach is a must.
Use this article as a compass to point you in the right direction. And once you prove your innocence, consider fighting back against the false accusations to make an example out of your accusers.
