Being accused of a crime is a stressful time and you may feel lost or confused about how to proceed. It’s important to proceed carefully so you don’t risk hurting your reputation or further incriminating yourself. Here are some steps you should consider taking after being accused of a crime.

Remember, you are now under investigation for your crime and anything you do or say could come back as incriminating evidence against you. Don’t try to explain your side of things in order to clear your name, even if it’s just to your family. They could be called upon to testify and anything you’ve said to them could come up.

You can and should speak with an attorney. Whatever you discuss with your attorney is protected under attorney and client privilege, so you can feel free to tell your side of the story, express any concerns you have and work to clear your name.

Court proceedings can take a long time, so while you are working to clear your name you should be patient. Remember, you cannot discuss details of your case with others so even if they ask, remind them that you can’t talk about it until a judgement has been made.

No matter how stressful your situation is, remember, your attorney is there to help you and defend your case and it’s never a good idea to try to represent yourself.

For more information on what to do after being accused of a crime, call Joseph E. Walden Attorney at Law in Alabaster at 205-419-1102.