Unfortunately, false accusations can throw an innocent person’s life into shambles. It doesn’t just land you unfairly behind bars, a false accusation can ruin your reputation and hamper your future opportunities. Additionally, it can cost you thousands of dollars in legal fees. While many believe that the truth will always prevail through the legal system, this is sadly not always the case. Given the potential consequences, you may wonder what you can do to protect your rights if someone falsely accuses you of a crime on social media. Please continue reading to learn how an experienced Bergen County Criminal Defense Attorney can help gather evidence to clear your name.
What Do You Do If You’re Falsely Accused of a Crime on Social Media?
Understandably, being falsely accused of committing a crime can be devastating. As such, it’s natural to want to fight back and defend yourself against such allegations. However, responding to false accusations on social media in a rash way can jeopardize your case. It’s important to remember that anything you can say can and will be used against you. Although statements you make to another person outside of court are considered hearsay and inadmissible, there are certain exceptions. Once a falsehood has been put out there, it’s incredibly difficult to erase it.
If law enforcement comes knocking on your door asking you questions about the alleged incident, it’s imperative to remain calm and carefully think about how you proceed. The best thing you can do is exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent until you have an attorney present. Trying to explain what happened in an attempt to clear your name can backfire. It’s in your best interest to wait for your attorney before speaking to the police as they are trained to elicit confessions out of suspects, even false confessions.
Should I Consult an Attorney?
When you are facing false accusations, consulting an attorney is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself. In many cases, if there is little or no evidence of wrongdoing on your part, an attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor and try to get the charges dropped or lessened, depending on the unique circumstances of your case. Often people wait to enlist the help of an attorney because they are concerned about the legal bills or think they can handle the false accusations alone. However, if you wait too long to work with an attorney, you risk losing valuable time and evidence. Ultimately, the sooner you discuss your case with an attorney, the better chance you have of clearing your name.
If you have been falsely accused of a crime, please don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a qualified attorney who can help protect your rights and assess your options. Connect with our firm today to learn how we can fight for you.
