Being accused of a crime that you did not commit can be an extremely stressful and emotional experience. You will be going through a wide range of emotions, from the worry of the consequences you might face from something you did not do, to the anger toward the person that wrongly accused you, to the worry about what people might think of you or how they might change their opinion of you. Here is how to take action if you have been falsely accused of a crime.
Keep calm and think before acting
Once you have been accused of a crime, it is important to be very aware of the actions that you take and the things that you say, because all of this can be used against you in court. Try your best to keep calm, especially in any encounters with the police. You do not need to proclaim your innocence right from the start, it is better to say nothing at all.
Speak with an attorney before making any statements
Although you know that you are innocent, it is important to protect yourself and be properly defended, since accusations against another person are always taken seriously. If you know anything about the crime that you are being falsely accused of, you should save the information for your attorney.
You have a right to be protected from defamation
Even when your innocence has been established, the person that wrongly accused you may have caused lasting damage to you reputation. It is important to remember your right to defend yourself against criminal allegations, and your right to be protected from defamation.
If you have been falsely accused of a crime and would like legal advice, contact the Quinn Law Firm at 814-806-2518 for a free telephone consultation.
Source: FindLaw, “What Do You Do if You’re Falsely Accused of a Crime,” accessed Nov. 24, 2017
