Whilst the criminal justice system in the USA tends to be fairly accurate in its proceedings, it’s still estimated that nearly 5% of all prisoners incarcerated in the U.S are innocent.
This is a huge number of people when you think about how many people are currently in prison. In late 2020, it is said that roughly 1.8 million people are currently locked up so based on the previous percentage, approximately 90,000 people have been wrongly convicted and are serving time when they shouldn’t be.
Sadly, this could happen to just about anyone caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
So, if you’ve been falsely accused, what are the steps you should take to handle it?
Gather Your Evidence
It’s important to be proactive in a case such as this. Whilst things may even blow over and accusations could get dropped without you doing anything, it’s worth being prepared for someone building a case against you. Find all the evidence you can such as messages and receipts proving where you were at a particular time.
Perhaps you filled your car with gas during the time that the crime was said to have taken place, for example. This could be a strong piece of evidence to bring with you to court. Your attorney will help you to decide on which evidence is important or not, of course, so make sure you listen to their advice.
Find High-Quality Legal Representation
Unless you have an attorney on retainer, the chances are you won’t be able to shoot down an accusation before you’re charged with a crime. Make sure you are working with the best quality legal attorney you can afford, especially one that specializes in criminal defense such as Gallian Defense Firm in Dallas, TX.
A defense attorney with a great record of case dismissals is incredibly important, to help ensure you’re in safe hands.
Stay Calm And Take It Seriously
You might know you’re completely innocent, but that doesn’t mean prosecutors and a jury will be able to confidently say you didn’t commit a crime. If you act nonchalant and dismissive of your case, you could end up turning people away from supporting you which could cause problems down the line.
Instead, accept that these things happen, and justice must be served. Take the whole case seriously and make calm and considerate decisions and show your willingness to assist in uncovering the truth.
List Helpful Contacts
Finally, gather as many contact details as you can for witnesses or potential witnesses who can vouch for you and your whereabouts during the time and day of the crime. For example, the details of the gas station you visited where someone could identify you if required, or even work colleagues or an employer that knew where you were at the time.
None of this evidence is necessarily foolproof, but enough supporting evidence and witness testimonies can help to build a strong enough case to prove that you were in fact not involved with this crime.
