5 Common Mistakes People Make When Dealing with Assault Cases

Assault cases are not easy to handle. Common Mistakes in Assault Cases can cost you big time. If you make even the slightest of errors, your eligibility as a lawyer might suffer. The same goes for your client too. 

The backlash that the client suffers is unparalleled. Meanwhile, Common Mistakes in Assault Cases keep occurring. But why? 

Experts say that the stress in assault cases is a staggering high. Hence, there is a plethora of chances where you may slip easily. So, what’s the remedy? For starters, you must take note of the common mistakes that people make while dealing with an assault case. 

On that note, the clients also make a lot of mistakes when tackling their assault cases. So, your responsibility as a lawyer is to make it certain that they don’t act impulsive and retain a gel-well strategy with you till the case is on. That way, the chances of making Common Mistakes in Assault Cases are reduced to a great extent. 

The 5 Common Mistakes You Can’t Ignore

Now, let’s discuss these common mistakes in detail. Here are some mistakes you should always avoid in assault cases. 

Talking to the Police Without Legal Representation

Often assault case participants act hastily before the police. But that is something that you should strictly avoid. Firstly, you must plea for a lawyer. Before that don’t spit facts that may go against you. In the meantime, stay put. 

If you don’t follow this cardinal rule, it may cost you severely. On that note, remember that the police won’t be taking care of your interests. So they may mold case facts against you too. 

Meanwhile, do you know what’s the most common mistake that people make when attending police interrogation sessions? They speak out facts that they think are not vital at all. However, in the limelight of an assault case, there are no facts that have less value. Often you will find the same unimportant facts being used against you in the court. 

So, the drill is to stay silent and let the lawyer do the talking. But, that’s not the drill you can always follow. In most cases, the police would want you to make a statement. So, what’s the best way to deal with that? The best you can do is politely say – “I don’t want to make a statement. My lawyer should do that.” However ensure that you will do all sorts of cooperation with them. 

The Legal Angle

If you think you may be breaking the law by doing that, you are wrong. The 5th Amendment of the Constitution ushers the right of the accused to stay silent in front of the police. So, don’t be intimidated. And politely refuse. 

An experienced assault lawyer will be of great assistance as they help you understand the best way to work through these cases. 

Firstly, don’t ever lose trust in your attorney. The law officers deal with a legion of assault cases and they know the judiciary system in and out. So, it is better to let them take the lead and frame the case as they feel it is right! 

Posting on Social Media

Social media is an absolute mixed bag when it comes to assault cases. It may seem like a simple thing to share your thoughts or get your side of the story out there, but sharing your case on social media can backfire. 

Anything you say online can still be used as evidence and could hurt your defense or make you seem less credible. Those videos, pictures, or statements can be manipulated or taken out of context, which can have a huge impact on the outcome of your case.

It’s wise to stay off social media while you’re still dealing with all the legalities involved in an assault case. If you want to share something, you should make your accounts private and tell your friends and family to avoid talking about it on social media. 

This will save you from saying anything that might harm your case. So many times, a seemingly harmless statement can be twisted to imply motive or intent, giving prosecutors something to build their case on.

Keep in mind that social media sites store user data for years, even when posts are deleted. It means that even when you delete something, it’s still available through legal channels, like subpoenas. 

It’s a good idea to discuss everything with your attorney and learn how to manage your online presence while waiting for the verdict. 

Destroying or Concealing Evidence

Destroying or tampering with evidence is a serious offense and can land you in more trouble. Even if you think that certain things will incriminate you, it’s vital to avoid tampering with them. 

Just allow your lawyer to examine the evidence and advise you on your next move. If you ever try to destroy evidence and get caught, it will make you look guilty and result in serious legal problems.

A seasoned defense lawyer has the expertise and knowledge to handle evidence carefully, making sure any problems get sorted out the right way. Instead of trying to act smart, you should let your lawyer take charge of things. 

Destroying the evidence can compromise the integrity of the legal process, resulting in a loss of confidence in the justice system. The courts will take such acts seriously since they can compromise the impartiality of the trial. 

Always cooperate with the legal authorities and let your lawyer advise you on how to present and use any evidence related to your case.

Ignoring Court Orders or Conditions of Release

If you do manage to get out on bail, it’s crucial to follow all the conditions the court imposes on you. These can include not hanging around with certain people or avoiding particular places. Now you mustn’t disobey these orders. 

The court can revoke your bail order if you don’t follow these simple warnings. As a result, you will risk your defense in your case too. 

On the other hand, compliance shows the court that you’re serious about the case and that you’re willing to do everything to land on the right side of the law. Your attorney can help you learn about those restrictions and stay within those boundaries to reduce the risk of additional legal problems. 

Ignoring those orders can give the impression that you have no interest in following the legal process, which can negatively impact your case. Violating those conditions can also result in additional charges, such as contempt of court, making your case even more complicated.

Not Hiring a Legal Expert Early

Many people make the mistake of hiring an assault lawyer a bit too late during the whole legal fiasco. Some think it’d be expensive to hire one, and others believe they can manage it all by themselves. 

However, you must understand that taking too long to use the services of an attorney can seriously jeopardize your case. A good attorney understands how to gather evidence, negotiate with the prosecutors, and establish a good defense strategy from the word go.

How does the lawyer come to your rescue? Firstly, the lawyer will find out the mistakes on the part of the other party. Hence he would be able to frame a better defense for you. 

As a result, your chances of winning increases manifold. But the trick is to hire a lawyer early. You must give them as much time as you can to go the groundwork and frame your case.

Endnote

It’s easy to avoid the Common Mistakes in Assault Cases. However you need to know the basic drills to the core. Until then, read the article clinically. Here is an assortment of the best things you can do to keep yourself safe when accused of an assault case. 

Don’t complicate the case further when you don’t have an idea of the best things to do. Leave the whole thing to the attorney. But, know for sure that there will be chances when you spill out important information. 

And that is enough to change the stance of the case. Therefore, take key note of the Common Mistakes in Assault Cases and try not to repeat any of those. 

Lastly, the golden rule is to follow what the attorney asks you to do. He’s the best person in charge of defending your rights too. 

On that note, try to hire a reputed assault case attorney for your plea. And leave the rest. Also remember the same rule applies, whether you are the convict or the victim!

Read Also:

• Defenses in Intoxication Assault Cases
• Legal Definitions and Their Impact on Sexual Assault Cases
• Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault: Are There Time Limits?