Common Mistakes To Avoid After Release
One of the most common mistakes made in a criminal case is when people share details of their case with friends. This may seem innocent, natural, and an understandable thing to do, but it is a critical misstep that carries significant ramifications. Some people even go so far as to post about their arrest, listing all the alleged inaccuracies in the police report on social media.
Your family and friends undoubtedly genuinely care about you and are most likely legitimately concerned, but the wisest course of action for you is to express gratitude for their concern while maintaining a clear boundary — that of not discussing the case. Speaking to others about your case, even trusted friends or loved ones, can inadvertently alter the narrative, influence your recollection of events, or introduce opinions that may not be helpful. You may hear remarks like, You shouldn’t have done this. which might make you second-guess your actions.
Unfortunately, unless your family member or friend is a criminal lawyer, their ability to meaningfully help you is limited. In reality, there’s not much they can do to positively impact your situation, and there’s a substantial risk that their input could do the opposite.
To safeguard your case, refrain from discussing it with friends and loved ones. This is the most common mistake people make, and it can severely undermine the strength of your case. Keeping the details limited to a legal professional who understands the legal system ensures that your case is handled with the precision and confidentiality it demands.
Benefits Of A Criminal Defense Attorney Being Involved Early
In most situations, the earlier an attorney becomes involved, the better. I’ve emphasized the significance of jogging the defendant’s memory and preserving recollections several times up to this point so far. The sooner an attorney is engaged, the quicker and more thoroughly you can do this. An attorney will help ask questions you might not think to consider, shedding even more light on what actually happened. Further, they may record a more exhaustive version of the account than what you’d do on your own.
Beyond this, it’s essential to have an attorney on board well before your first court date. An attorney can often communicate with a prosecutor even before charges are formally filed. In certain cases, your attorney may make a presentation to the prosecutor and provide additional details that the police might have overlooked.
If your attorney has the right relationships and skills, they might present information to the district attorney in advance. These types of connections and skills can potentially prevent charges from being filed outright. While this isn’t guaranteed, it can and does happen. For this reason alone, you should get an attorney involved as soon as you can.
In addition, your attorney will be familiar with your case and the overall legal process. If an attorney has been grappling with a case for weeks or months compared to one who has just started, the former is better equipped to handle the case effectively. Walking into an arraignment with a deep understanding of the case, obtained over an extended period, positions the attorney to navigate the legal proceedings with greater expertise. Attorney Saman Manavi is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer based in Beverly Hills, CA. He’s dedicated over 15 years to advocating for clients facing a range of legal challenges. Criminal defense is a primary focus for him – and he's successfully navigated clients through a wide range of cases. His natural bent toward logical thinking serves him and his clients well when assessing a case, determining the best approach and assessing the repercussions it may bring. Facing a criminal charge and don’t know where to turn? Have questions about the legal process? Contact Manavi Law Group, APLC today.
Important Details To Begin Working On A Case
When I first meet to discuss a case with a client, much of what we discuss revolves around the circumstances of their arrest. This initial conversation is pivotal. We dig into the events leading up to the moment of their arrest and examine how everything transpired. This provides me with a comprehensive understanding of the situation, allowing us to strategize effectively.
Beyond the details of your arrest, it’s imperative that I review any paperwork my client was given upon being released from custody. I’ll need to see all relevant documents so I can make copies for reference. These documents are instrumental in building a thorough defense strategy and understanding the legal landscape of the case in question.
The timing of our meeting in relation to any upcoming court dates is critical. The sooner I am aware of when we’ll be in court, the better prepared I can be for that specific date. This advance notice enables me to dedicate more time to analyzing the case, formulating strategies, and ensuring that we are well-prepared for all legal proceedings we face.
Share Everything With Your Lawyer
Sharing all the details of the circumstances leading up to the arrest with your lawyer is vital. Firstly, it allows me, as your defense attorney, to step into your shoes and recreate the story as accurately as possible. Understanding what happened from your perspective is necessary for me to advocate effectively on your behalf. Any good criminal defense lawyer probably operates in a similar manner.
The more specific and vivid details at my disposal, the deeper I can delve into your case. This not only builds trust between us but also fosters transparency. It’s essential for you to know that when I ask probing and challenging questions, it’s not to undermine you but to gain a comprehensive view of the decisions you made and actions you took. This helps me understand you, especially at the time the incident occurred, and will help me present you in a convincing way before a judge or prosecutor — who might ask similar questions anyway!
Honest dialogue is another cornerstone of our attorney-client relationship. If I point out a mistake, it’s not to pass judgment but to guide you and prevent making similar errors again. Mistakes, even significant ones, may not necessarily have severe legal consequences, and it’s perfectly acceptable to make them. What’s important to me is your willingness to share with me, continuing to foster trust and rapport, ultimately making the defense process smoother for both of us.
You can be completely transparent with your defense lawyer. Your attorney is duty-bound to protect your confidentiality and work to minimize any mistakes or admissions you’ve made. Whether you confess to me about the details of the alleged crimes or demonstrate contrition, my role is not to judge you but to use that information strategically in your defense. Maintaining confidentiality and using such information to humanize you in the eyes of the judge, jury, and prosecutor is instrumental, particularly in more serious cases where showing contrition may significantly impact the outcome.
For more information on Common Mistakes Made In A Criminal Case, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (310) 4159-499 today. Attorney Saman Manavi is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer based in Beverly Hills, CA. He’s dedicated over 15 years to advocating for clients facing a range of legal challenges. Criminal defense is a primary focus for him – and he's successfully navigated clients through a wide range of cases. His natural bent toward logical thinking serves him and his clients well when assessing a case, determining the best approach and assessing the repercussions it may bring. Facing a criminal charge and don’t know where to turn? Have questions about the legal process? Contact Manavi Law Group, APLC today.