There's a surreal feeling when you find that you're being accused of a crime, especially if you are innocent. But you need to act fast before you lose any ground. Here are some of the things you should do when you encounter that situation. Let's take a look for more information!

See What Exonerating Evidence There Is

While you're waiting to talk to your attorney, you need to stay calm and see what kind of evidence there is against you. Think things over and see what pieces there are to the puzzle that could lead to your acquittal. Then, you can talk to your attorney when they get there. They'll be able to talk you through everything in a calm and professional manner.

Get a Lawyer

It's important to get a proper criminal defense attorney. There are a lot of them in America. According to Law Firm, 252,159 lawyers practice in this country. They are an important part of the justice system. You want to make sure that you get the right one for your defense. The best way to do that, if you don't already have one that you know of through friends and family, is to look online. There are plenty of review sites for you to use to find the perfect lawyer for your needs.

Look at All the Evidence

Once you have a lawyer aboard, they should get all the evidence and talk to witnesses. There may be some glaring things that point in your favor. Give the attorney all the paperwork and documents that you have pertaining to the arrest and your charge.

Poke Holes in the Accuser's Credibility

There are a number of ways to do this, though your attorney will be the one to really try to drive through any holes in the accuser's story. That can then change how the eyes of the law might view the charge. This could even wind up causing the case to be dropped, which would result in you getting your freedom.

Get Ready for Trial

There are a number of other avenues to pursue, depending on what state your case is in. You could see about fighting any false charges, defamation, and other things. Talk with your attorney about what the best legal strategy is. You need to make sure that you've turned over every rock and found every possible witness that can shine a light on how unjust the charge is.

Aim for Compensation

Being arrested and falsely accused is a debilitating thing for your psyche. That means that you deserve compensation for your mental pain and suffering, along with anything physical that happens, like getting an ulcer. Get any medical documentation from your doctor or other medical personnel that you saw that outlines this suffering. Your attorney will gather all that and show the court during your proceedings.

Depending on the case, there may be settlement offers. This can be seen as the last chance to avoid a trial. The thing that you want to be alert for is whether they try to get you to admit guilt, whether it's a suspended sentence or not. Your reputation is at stake, so you should aim for something that lets you still proclaim your innocence. The case could also go to trial. If that's the case, you're likely going to face a trial of your peers. This is where the real risk is since there is the element of unpredictability. Having an excellent defense attorney will certainly help. But you need to wait to hear the verdict. You can always appeal it if necessary!

The best thing you can do is keep calm and assess everything before bringing your legal counsel aboard. By doing all of the above, you'll give yourself the best chance when you're accused of a crime. That's all you can ask for. Are you looking for a criminal defense lawyer in your area? We're a detail-oriented criminal defense attorney office that will give you the best representation possible. We also have over 30 years of experience. Reach out today at L. Scott Berkoben, P.A. for a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the near future!