CRIMINAL: Were you lying then or are you lying now?

Whether you committed a crime or not, you have the right to remain silent when being questioned by an authority figure. The right against self-incrimination is a constitutionally protected fundamental right. This article will point out a few of the reasons you should keep your mouth shut.

Reason 1.

The police are not there to help you. They are there to gather evidence against you. Officers will play the good cop by acting like they want to understand you and will be on your side. Then, if you are less than forthcoming, the same cop or another one will become angry and attempt to threaten you into confessing. Do not fall into these traps.

The officers might act like they are just conversing with you. The fact is that they want to gather sufficient evidence so that they have probable cause to arrest you, at which point they will read you your rights-but it could be too late already if you confessed. The officers will say that you confessed voluntarily, even if they manipulated you long before they arrested you. Who are you to then stand up in court and call our fine peacekeepers liars?

Reason 2.

Officers can purposefully or negligently miss-write on their reports what you told them. Police reports are considered to be pretty good evidence in court. When you take the stand and recount under oath the events leading up to your arrest and what you say does not match up with the police report, the District Attorney can then ask you the damning rhetorical question of, "Were you lying then or are you lying now?"

Reason 3.

If you told the police anything, whether you are innocent or not, you have just made it much more difficult for your attorney later on to present a theory of the case that could show you are not guilty. By speaking to the officers, you are reducing your possible defenses.

Conclusion

A wise man once said something to the effect of "a person is not condemned by what is put in the mouth but by what comes out of." Therefore, when approached by an officer, be polite, courteous, and quiet.

By Anthony M. Wright, Esq.

Free Advice regarding your domestic violence charge in Henderson, Nevada

A Henderson, Nevada domestic violence lawyer will assist you through your criminal proceedings and provide you the best possible defense given the situation. A domestic violence charge in Henderson, Nevada is no laughing matter.  It can haunt you across state lines and over many years.  Domestic violence can affect child custody, job options, gun ownership, and sentencing at future criminal convictions.

Do not count on your significant other that you are alleged to have attacked helping you.  Your "victim" including your spouse does not have to testify for you to be convicted of domestic violence. 

If you have been arrested for domestic violence in Henderson, Nevada, you should hire a lawyer with experience handling domestic violence.  David R. Jacks, Jr, a Native Las Vegan, defends tourists and residents of Henderson, Nevada in divorce cases and cases involving domestic violence.  Mr. Jacks also handles criminal matters.  Domestic violence can be an area of law that goes before family and criminal courts.

You need a Henderson domestic violence attorney who will treat your case with the respect and seriousness it requires.  Your attorney will review the police report, witness statements, and other evidence soon after your arrest for domestic violence.  

Furthermore, a Henderson, Nevada domestic violence lawyer shall look for procedural defects with the police report, including jurisdictional, legal cause for the disturbance call, and appropriate maintenance of evidence. A Henderson domestic violence attorney will interview witnesses for the defense and the prosecution.

It is necessary for a Henderson domestic violence attorney to do the above steps in order to negotiate a deal or prepare for domestic violence trial.  Even if this is only your first offense, it is important to treat your defense aggressively because any future charges could completely devastate your life.

We offer the below advice free of charge, but it could save you years of grief:

Call the The Jacks Law Group for assistance with your Henderson domestic violence charge.  Call as soon as possible and speak to no one else about your case except your Henderson criminal defense lawyer.  Call us for a $100 consultation to review your case and develop a strategy and legal theory for your defense.