From the beginning of a situation, criminal defense attorneys work to protect their clients. From the moment the first accusation is made, a legal representative begins to look at the issue and encourages his client to be cautious in what is said and done. While some of the questions and even parts of the investigation seem harmless, they are often opportunities for people to incriminate themselves.
Bail Interview
A bond interview is used to determine how much a person can afford to pay in terms of bond. Many defendants assume that this is just a harmless question-and-answer session. Criminal defense attorneys know the truth. Customers may accidentally disclose information that could be used against them at a later time. Even asking a person’s name or where they work could be a problem depending on the type of job title.
When it comes time to attend a bond hearing, make sure the attorney is present. Before offering any information, make sure he or she approves the question and then responds. If something bad is happening at work, admitting employment there could be detrimental to the case. In identity theft circumstances, even providing a first and last name could make things worse. It is up to criminal defense attorneys when it comes to what questions need to be answered. This will continue for the remainder of the case.
Police investigations allowed
If the police are conducting an investigation into the situation, criminal defense attorneys make sure that law enforcement officers stay within their bounds. The goal is to minimize the risk to the customer. If there is a possibility of harmful information coming to light, the defendant wants to make sure that he is protected. Examples include fingerprinting or drawing blood. A lawyer can encourage his client to say very little during this time. You do not need to provide additional information or react in a certain way to the process.
When a defendant must stand in line to be potentially identified by a victim or an eyewitness, criminal defense attorneys make sure that the identified individuals are not being briefed. Law enforcement officers should not encourage them when it comes to this process. These suggestive procedures are against the rights of the accused and are often considered misconduct during an investigation.
Regardless of the type of charges you face, it is important that you contact an attorney who is experienced in defending an individual’s rights. Throughout the investigation and even the court case, he or she may limit what happens, as well as the opportunities for you to unintentionally incriminate yourself.