It’s tough to find yourself staring down the barrel of a serious criminal accusation, but you don’t have to be passive in this scenario.
In fact by acting decisively, you will put yourself in a position to defend yourself from any allegations of wrongdoing. Here’s what you need to do.
Stay Calm: Don’t React to Accusations
It’s normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed when accused of a crime on campus. It can also be tempting to react emotionally or try and defend yourself right away, but this is rarely the best way forward.
Instead, it’s important that you remain calm under pressure. Take deep breaths if necessary, and focus your energies on gathering all of the relevant information you possibly can about what happened so that you’re prepared for any eventuality.
Remember, no matter how intense the situation may seem at first glance, there are legal options available to you, as we’ll discuss. So take some time to gather yourself before responding in any way; doing otherwise might only make matters worse.
Consult With a Reputable Criminal Defense Attorney Immediately
If you’re accused of committing a crime on campus, it’s important that you consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. By getting in touch with experts who are local to the area, such as Middlesex County attorneys for criminal defense, you will be further strengthening your position.
Experienced lawyers can provide invaluable guidance and advice about how to protect your rights, how to handle interactions with law enforcement, and so forth.
It may also be beneficial for them to review any evidence gathered by prosecutors or investigators so far, in order to identify any potential flaws or inconsistencies which they can exploit during negotiations or court proceedings, if things go that far.
Ideally you should speak with an attorney before you say anything to the police. Use your right to remain silent if you are questioned or detained, and you’ll avoid falling into traps that are laid for the uninitiated accused.
Gather Information About the Alleged Crime
As with any accusation of impropriety, especially of the criminal variety, it’s important to gather as much information about the alleged incident as you can.
This can include speaking with witnesses and collecting any relevant documents or evidence related to the case, whether that’s emails, text messages, social media posts or anything else.
Depending on your situation, this could also involve interviewing faculty members who may have witnessed what happened or gathering statements from other students involved.
As well as helping protect your rights and interests in court if necessary, doing your own research can also help provide a more detailed understanding of what happened and the strength of any evidence against you. In short, knowledge is power, so make sure to spend some time gathering all the facts before making any decisions, and keep your lawyer in the loop.
Follow All Campus Protocols Related to the Complaint
Finally, it’s crucial that you follow all campus protocols related to the complaint against you. Most colleges and universities have a specific set of rules in place when it comes to how they handle criminal accusations on campus, so make sure you understand what these are before doing anything else.
This may include attending mandatory meetings with college administrators, or signing documents outlining any disciplinary action taken against you, both of which could affect your future prospects at this institution.
Take some time to research exactly what is expected from students accused of crimes on their campuses, because failure to do so could result in additional penalties being imposed!
