Being charged with any criminal offense can be scary and confusing. And it gets worse if there’s a possibility of ending up in jail. If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing that you can do is get a criminal attorney for legal advice as well as to help you determine the best course of legal action that you may take.
But do I need a lawyer?
Driving under Influence (DUI) is a legal matter. So is murder. The “defendants” in these scenarios have committed a criminal offense but will face different consequences. If you are accused of murder, you will need a lawyer. Cases of this magnitude cannot be taken lightly. DUI is also a legal offense, but may or may not need legal representation. But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t call a lawyer when you are caught driving under the influence, because they could be the help that you are yearning for.
Here are five signs that you need a criminal lawyer:
The officers want to bring you in for questioning
You have the right to remain silent, and politely request to call a lawyer when police want to bring you in for questioning. Remember, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You do not want to risk saying anything that will implicate you. With a lawyer by your side, they will help to ensure that you do not answer any question that you don’t have to answer.
When simple questioning becomes weird or worse
It’s advisable that you call a criminal defense attorney in Galveston, TX as soon as the interrogation takes a turn for the worse – say like if you realize that the officer has changed his attitude or tone, or when the nature or subject of the question shift for the worst. You should call a lawyer as soon as the questions start to get personal – when the officer asks anything else other than your name, age and so on.
Police want to search your premise
For police to search your premise, they will need a search warrant from the court; otherwise, it would be illegal for them to do so. In addition to a search warrant, other rules factor in. Calling a lawyer is a great way to know what to do and what not to do during a search.
You are uncertain that you need a criminal defense attorney
Well, if you think you need a criminal defense attorney, then you probably need one. Ignoring the signs could only end you up in wrong places. Besides, it’s often good to be safe than sorry, and since most attorneys offer free initial consultation, you have nothing to lose.
When you are arrested
If the officer starts to tell you your rights, it means they are arresting you, and that should be enough reason to call a lawyer. The Miranda rights allow all criminal suspects to have an attorney or have one provided for them.
