What is Criminal Law?
You need a Criminal Lawyer if you have been arrested, whether or not you have been charged with a crime. As most people know from watching television, if you are under suspicion of having committed a crime, you should not speak in any detail to the police (or anyone else) without a lawyer at your side. Some people assume that they do not need a lawyer if they are innocent of the crime of which they are accused. This is wrong. If you are innocent of a crime, you need a Criminal Lawyer more than someone who did commit a crime.
It may also happen that you find yourself involved in the early stages of an investigation into a crime, in other words, that you may be “a person of interest.”
When Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you believe you might be in any of these situations, that is the time to contact a Criminal Lawyer. Do not wait. And do not agree to be questioned without your Criminal Lawyer present, even if you have not been arrested and the “friendly” police officers or detectives offer to meet with you in your home or workplace, “just to go over a few things.” What you’ve heard on television is true, what you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Most police officers are honest enough when they tell you what you are legally obligated to tell them without the presence of a lawyer (it isn’t much beyond your name and where you live). But if you are in any doubt, insist on, at a minimum, speaking with a Criminal Lawyer by telephone before saying anything to the authorities.
In addition, you should never reveal the password to your cell phone, computer, or other electronic devices without first consulting with a lawyer.
As a final note, the assistance of a Criminal Lawyer is a good idea if you are thinking about applying for a pardon of a previous criminal conviction for the purpose of clearing your record.