So, you currently find yourself in trouble with the authorities. Our Seattle firm helps people like you every day. We also find that most people in the same or similar situation react one of two ways:
- They become paralyzed by fear and unable to process or move forward with the criminal charge; or
- They spring into action mode by proclaiming their innocence to any police officer who will listen and start their own investigation.
While those two scenarios represent the extremes of both sides, it’s not uncommon for those accused of wrongdoing to want to clear their names. Defendants may speak to potential witnesses on their own or attempt to record “admissions” by the ones who, in their minds, are the ones truly responsible for the underlying crime.
It’s certainly a natural inclination to want to do everything you can to clear your name and help the prosecution see the truth. However, this is not helpful for your case, attorney, or you. Attempting to conduct your own investigation could ultimately be harmful to your case. The prosecution could add charges of witness tampering. Also, Washington is a two-party consent state when it comes to recording phone calls or conversations.
Instead, here are some things you can do to help your attorney and, by extension, your case:
Be Honest and Forthcoming with Your Attorney
Depending on the crime or wrongdoing you’ve been accused of, you may feel embarrassed, scared, angry, or any combination of the three. Don’t be. Burke Brown Attorneys, PLLC is a no-judgment zone. Whatever it is you’ve done or been accused of, we’re simply here to help.
However, the onus is on you to tell us everything that happened. Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege. Everything you don’t tell us, though, could catch us by surprise in court. We can’t prepare for things we don’t know about. You don’t want your own attorney to be caught on their heels.
Don’t Speak to Anyone or Post Online About Your Case
If you’ve already been speaking with police officers, don’t continue to do so without your lawyer present. You have a constitutional right not to incriminate yourself or even talk about anything at all. The less you talk about your case to your friends and family, the tighter your case will be. That includes social media posts, which the prosecution may take out of context to bolster the case against you.
Make Your Goals Clear
The best plans are ones with a clear result in mind. If you want your criminal case to be settled as quickly as possible so you can get on with your life, make sure your attorney knows that. If you want to fight your charges to the bitter end, let that be known to your legal team.
One last piece of advice is to trust your lawyer. While you and your lawyer will do plenty of work together, remember why you hired legal representation in the first place. Burke Brown Attorneys, PLLC has decades of experience handling criminal charges and allegations of wrongdoing, but we’re motivated most by helping our clients achieve satisfactory results.
Our team is here to help you resolve legal issues efficiently and effectively. Contact us today to discuss your legal needs and the ways we can help.
Burke Brown Attorneys
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