Things to Avoid When Facing Domestic Violence Charges

 Posted on January 10, 2023 in Domestic Violence

Being charged with a violent crime like domestic violence is a grave matter that Illinois courts do not take lightly. Unfortunately, something that often plagues those accused of committing acts like domestic violence is that the public and law enforcement often act as though the accused is automatically guilty. This dangerous rush to judgment can unfairly impact the accused person and their chance of receiving fair treatment under the law. 

If you have been charged with committing acts of domestic violence, contact a knowledgeable domestic violence attorney to protect your rights and ensure they are not infringed upon. This blog will look at common mistakes people charged with domestic violence often make and how those mistakes can prove detrimental to the defendant. 

What Not to Do After You Are Arrested and Charged

You begin building your defense as soon as you are arrested. What you say and how you act during and after your arrest can and will be used against you, assuming you act improperly. Acting improperly may involve speaking too much with the police or trying to tell the police your side of the story. As soon as it is clear you are under arrest, do not speak to the police. Act respectfully and do not resist.

The police may try to tempt you into saying something incriminating; however, do not fall for this trick. The police want you to incriminate yourself. From the perspective of the police, they may view a suspect talking too much as a sign of guilt. Once you begin showing what the police believe to be a sign of guilt, their questions may escalate to try and get you to talk more. Contact and hire a domestic violence attorney as soon as you can. Your attorney is your best bet in pursuing a positive outcome in your favor. 

Other Things to Avoid Doing 

Whatever you do, do not speak with your accuser. You may feel inclined to contact them to share your side of the story or try to clear up any confusion. This is almost always a terrible idea. Contacting your accuser can make them scared or intimidated, increasing your legal liability. You should only share your side of the story with your lawyer. Always speak truthfully to your lawyer, as they are there to help exonerate you. Lying or withholding information from them will only hurt your case.

Contact a Chicago Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Contact the highly knowledgeable Chicago domestic violence defense lawyers with Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney for a chance at achieving a positive in your domestic violence case. Call 312-629-0669 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/stopped-by-police#ive-been-arrested-by-the-police