What Should I Do If I Am Charged with a State Crime?
Criminal allegations should be taken seriously, since a conviction could result in jail time, steep fines, and restitution. Knowing what steps should be taken to protect your rights can help reduce the severity of the charges or negate criminal liability. At Ryan Beasley Law, our South Carolina criminal defense lawyers are dedicated to helping resolve your case favorably. The moment you are informed of criminal charges is the moment you should seek our experienced legal team.
Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
If a police officer arrests you and plans to bring you down to the station for questioning (known as “custodial interrogation”), they are required to read you your Miranda rights. These rights include the right to remain silent. Beyond providing identifying information to the police, you are not obligated to answer further questioning. To invoke your right to remain silent, you should answer affirmatively. Something along the lines of “I wish to invoke my right to remain silent” will make it clear that you are exercising your Fifth Amendment right.
Request a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Miranda rights also state your right to consult with an attorney before answering police questions. Law enforcement may attempt to have you circumvent your right to counsel through tactics. One of which includes pretending to be your pal, through making friendly conversation. They may even promise that whatever you say will remain “off the record.” Don’t listen to anything the officer says, as they are often making false promises. If you do choose to answer questions without an attorney present, you could say something that incriminates you.
Take Notes Regarding the Circumstances of Your Arrest
police can often arrest without a warrant, but only within the limits of §§17-13-10 and 17-13-30, and exceeding those limits can support suppression. The truth is that law enforcement and the prosecution are adamant in seeking justice. This can happen to the extent that they attempt to bypass legal procedures. That is why it is important that you take notes on anything you can remember regarding your arrest. The more information you can provide our team of professionals, the better chance we have of finding any procedural errors.
Speak with Our South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys
At Ryan Beasley Law, we are dedicated to helping criminal defendants obtain the most lenient sentence possible. If you or a family member is currently facing criminal charges, do not hesitate to contact our office. To schedule your free consultation with one of our South Carolina criminal defense lawyers, contact us online or by calling (864) 756-4204 at your earliest opportunity.