A simple heated argument that turns sour and eventually becomes a quarrel and goes beyond a mere exchange of words— something as simple as the first can quickly escalate to a much more dreadful outcome. In many cases, the other will find himself or herself being presented with assault or aggravated assault charges.
In this scenario, it’s crucial to be represented by qualified attorneys who will have your best interest in mind. With the help of www.csclarklaw.com/assault-lawyers/, here’s a brief overview of what you need to know, and do, about charges of assault and aggravated assault.
Tips When Charged With Assault/ Aggravated Assault
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Hire An Assault And Aggravated Assault Lawyer
In charges such as these, the most crucial thing to have in mind is “immediacy”. The moment you receive this charge, call up a firm and ask to be represented by an assault or aggravated assault attorney. Retaining legal counsel for criminal charges is a definite advantage on your end.
Many want to escape having to pay for attorneys’ fees, so they skip this part and decide to handle the case on their own. But unless you yourself have a background in law, then you’ll deem it extremely difficult to do what you can to your defense.
In fact, this is the very reason why a large percentage of defendants’ pleas are rejected. The absence of proper documents (or the presentation of incomplete documents), evidences, and the like are taken with seriousness in court.
And these mistakes are typically made out of failure to comply with certain legal standards, really, due to the lack of knowledge regardings these proceedings. Instead of putting yourself through this rough course, and possibly spend more in rectifying said mistakes, simply call for an attorney at the onset.
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Your Silence
It’s okay for you to feel compelled about exercising your right to remain silent. You have the legal right to it. Such a simple gesture that people forget they have the power to wield. When the police drop in and begin asking you questions (and your lawyer isn’t around), keep calm and treat them with respect.
Above all, don’t answer their questions without discussing them with your attorney, and inform the interrogators about this. That you will only answer when your legal representative is at hand.
To follow up on this, you are also to be silent in any other regard, in the context of sharing information about the case. No social media postings, no talking to your friends and family regarding the matter, etc. This is because doing so may likely be held against you as “intent”, also known as “motive”.
The only person you are to share your side of the story with is your legal representative. No one else. And this, you must follow with absoluteness. Always remind yourself that this is to serve as your own protection.
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No Conflicts (From Here On Out)
The third and vital step to remember is that that you should keep your slate clean from now onwards. Especially with the law. Any more legal trouble will only spell disaster, because these incidences may be used to further the plea of the other party. Additional charges are never a good sign.
Furthermore, cut all communication and interaction with the person/s who filed the assault charge. The most practical way to do this conveniently is to block and delete them from your social media and contacts list. If they’re your friend/s or family, stop visiting them altogether.
At the same time, if you are to accidentally run into them in public places, avoid them at all costs.
Finally, wait and discuss the charge with your lawyer. Making rash and uncalculated decisions without their advice may very well cause even more damage. So stay calm and make sure that the information you’ll provide your lawyer is honest and complete.