Wrongfully Accused Of A Crime? Here’s What You Should Do

By Author: Chadi Irani
Total Articles: 70
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Being wrongfully accused of a crime can be a nightmare. The last thing anyone wants to face is to be charged with a crime they haven’t committed. Research shows that the rate of wrongful convictions is about one per cent of all crimes. This means over 8,500 crimes that occur every year in Australia, about 327 of them are wrongful convictions. Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone.

A victim or witness might identify the wrong person. Perhaps circumstances can make police suspect that an innocent person has committed a crime. An innocent suspect can even be charged for a crime they haven’t done. Here are a few guidelines from top criminal lawyers in Sydney to follow if you’ve been falsely accused:-

What Should I Do?

If you’ve been falsely charged for a crime you haven’t committed, please seek help from criminal solicitors in Sydney immediately. Besides this, you should also do the following:-

- Gather any physical evidence relating to the available incident or events. For example, take pictures, clothing, videos, documents, and other objects if possible.

- Seek help from any possible ...
... witnesses. Someone you think has information about the incident, the alleged victim or the accusations. Obtain the witnesses’ contact and personal information.

- Prepare a list of evidence from the crime scene that you know exists, such as objects, documents, CCTV footage, etc.

- Gather any records that could relate to the case and help you prove that you have been wrongfully accused. For example, look for emails, letters, financial documents, or any records, phone records, GPS and other documents that show where you were at the time of the crime.

- Gather all the evidence as much as possible and share it with a criminal lawyer.

What Should I Avoid Doing?

If you’re falsely accused of a crime, of course, you’d be anxious and try to do whatever it takes to protect yourself. But, there are certain things you’d be doing which can turn against you.

- Destroying the evidence thinking that it could hurt you. Never do that, as this act will turn against you. Yes, it will cast you in a more suspicious light and lead to additional criminal charges like destroying evidence, etc.

- Talking to the victim regarding the case. Indeed, it will turn against you. Police will suspect you even more and accuse you of more charges.

- Talking to the police or investigators without your lawyers.

For further queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the criminal law firms in Sydney. A seasoned criminal lawyer can help ensure your rights are protected when you’re wrongfully accused of a crime.