Nothing is worse than being accused of something you didn’t do – especially when there are criminal charges involved. Perhaps you were falsely accused, your actions were misunderstood, you were with someone else who committed a crime, or you were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. No matter what happened, or how emotional you may feel, remember that an arrest does not automatically mean a conviction. It means you should do everything you can to protect your rights, starting by calling an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Knoxville.
Ask For An Attorney
You are entitled to legal counsel upon your arrest. As soon as you are arrested, inform the law enforcement officer that you want to contact an attorney. With an Knoxville criminal defense lawyer by your side, your civil rights are less likely to be taken advantage of, and law enforcement officers are less likely to get information from you that could hurt your case. If you request legal counsel and the officers continue to question you without an attorney present, anything you say will likely be deemed inadmissible in court.
Remain Silent
In addition to the right to an attorney, you have the right to remain silent. It is likely tempting to speak up if you have been wrongly accused. You want to stand up for yourself and convince the police of your innocence. However, they can and will use anything you say against you to further their allegations. You do not have to answer their questions, and it is in your best interest not to say anything.
Do not discuss your case with anyone but your attorney. If you are in jail, do not speak to other inmates about your charges or talk about them on the phone with anyone. Along those same lines, stay off of social media. Anything you publish on social media outlets can be used to refute your innocence.
Request To See The Search Warrant
If you were arrested in relation to a search warrant, you have the right to see it. A valid search warrant will have probable cause. It will be signed by a judge, and it will detail what law enforcement officers can seek.
Avoid Confrontation
Just like you want to convince the police officers that you are innocent, you may wish to speak to your accuser as well. Your emotions are running high, and you might want to confront this person. You might think that you can talk out any misunderstandings that occurred, but it is best not to confront or speak to them and wait for your attorney to uphold your innocence in court.
Take Your Lawyer’s Advice
Your attorney has represented multiple clients in your position. They know what works and what doesn’t. They know how clients can ruin their chances of getting their charges dropped or eliminated and what they can do to better their chances. It is imperative that you strictly adhere to the advice of your attorney.
Be Patient
Your arrest is the beginning of a legal process that takes time to resolve. Your attorney knows that you are under a lot of stress, but they will do all they can to make the process easier for you and to ensure that it does not drag on. Building a defense strategy to prove your innocence can take time, and you should trust your legal team in this process.
Call A Tennessee Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you do nothing else after being arrested for a crime you did not commit, call an experienced criminal defense attorney. Once you hire legal counsel, your lawyer will guide you through all of the dos and don’ts in your case that you should be aware of. Our firm has years of experience successfully defending individuals who have been wrongly accused and charged with crimes. We know what you are going through and what it takes to resolve your case as favorably as possible.
Call the Barnes and Fersten Law Firm at 865-805-5703 to schedule your consultation today or use our online contact form. We also offer the convenient option of online video consultations.
Attorney At Law, Managing Partner
Brandon D. Fersten is an esteemed Knoxville attorney practicing DUI, criminal defense, and juvenile law. Known for his empathetic approach and commitment to his clients, he brings a record of favorable case outcomes including dismissals and not guilty verdicts at jury trials resulting in Brandon being recognized as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” in Criminal Defense, U.S. News’ Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch,” and Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars”. Brandon’s professional accolades, combined with his passion for justice, position him as a reliable criminal defense advocate in the East Tennessee legal landscape.
