If you are facing felony charges, it’s important to act quickly, and ignoring your rights won’t lead to lesser charges or a more lenient sentence. Appointing a defense lawyer promptly will ensure that your rights aren’t violated and that you’re treated fairly. Below are some of the ways in which a criminal defense lawyer in Oklahoma City can protect your rights.
How Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Oklahoma City Protect Your Rights When Facing Felony Charges?
Safeguarding Your Right to Remain Silent
The police interrogation will form a key part of the investigation, and you may face a lot of pressure from officers to confess. However, under US law you have the right to remain silent, regardless of the crime being alleged. Once you have asserted your right to remain silent, law enforcement officers are not permitted to try and persuade you to talk unless you voluntarily initiate a conversation with them.
The US Constitution presumes innocence, and any guilt must be proven. You cannot be forced to incriminate yourself by answering questions, and your silence cannot be interpreted as an admission of guilt. A good criminal defense attorney can ensure that you are not coerced into talking, and that your right to remain silent is protected.
Preventing Unlawful Detention
You cannot be detained for an indefinite period. Law enforcement officers can hold you in custody while there is an active investigation, but there are limits to how long you can be detained without charge. These rights are enshrined in law under the Sixth Amendment which provides for a speedy, public, and impartial trial. Your lawyer can ensure that you are not detained unlawfully and that any charges are properly filed.
Blocking Excessive Charges
Not all convictions in court are made correctly, as the National Registry of Exonerations shows. This means it’s absolutely vital to scrutinize the evidence to ensure that nothing is being misinterpreted or unfairly represented. The best time to do this is during the investigation, and before a full trial takes place.
Your lawyer is the only person who is acting solely in your best interests. By meticulously checking and comparing every shred of evidence, your lawyer will be able to ensure that any charges brought are fair and proportionate, and that you don’t suffer a miscarriage of justice.
Appoint a Lawyer Promptly
Although you have the right to represent yourself in Oklahoma, you’re unlikely to get the best outcome. As described above, a lawyer will advocate on your behalf and will ensure that none of your rights are violated. If your rights have been breached in any way, an experienced lawyer may even be able to get the whole case dismissed. Find out more about how a criminal defense lawyer can help, and the benefits of appointing one as soon as you are arrested.
Whether you are culpable of any crime is irrelevant, as every person has rights that must be observed. A criminal defense lawyer will understand the nuances that apply to felony charges and will be able to ensure that you are fairly treated throughout the legal process.
