It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. Your friend and you were planning to make a few extra bucks. You brought your gun just in case you needed to defend yourself. No one would get hurt. The next thing you know, the police arrived, your friend slipped away, and you’ve been charged with aggravated robbery. The fact that you were carrying a gun makes the charges much more serious than if you’d left it at home.
Hopefully, this story does not apply to you. However, if you or a loved one have been arrested while carrying a gun, you know how serious the situation can become very quickly.
What should you do if something like this happens to you?
Immediately Contact an Experienced Gun Lawyer. This is not the same attorney you used to write your will, buy your home, settle your divorce or get compensation after your car accident. Those are civil matters. You need a qualified criminal attorney.
Don’t Speak to the Police Without Your Lawyer. It’s natural for all of us to confess after we’ve done something wrong. It eases our conscience. Still, there’s a reason the police tell you, “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” That’s not just an expression – that’s a promise. Exercise your right to remain silent. Before you say anything to anyone, contact an attorney and speak with him/her before talking with the police.
Avoid Social Media. Do not post or authorize someone else to post messages on your behalf. Prosecutors and other law enforcement officials are known for scouring social media.
Listen to Your Gun Lawyer. It’s inevitable that your immediate family and close friends will want to give you support and advice after your arrest. They know and love you, and they want what’s best for you. At the same time, if their advice counters that of your attorney, stop and think very carefully. Unless your family includes a criminal attorney, their advice on legal matters should be appreciated but placed far behind the advice of your lawyer.
You’ll want a local attorney who has tried gun cases in the past. Someone who knows the prosecuting attorney and the judges in your area. An attorney who understands how charges that include firearms can often be exaggerated due to the public’s views about guns and violence.
Gun crimes are serious matters and must be handled correctly. There are many options a defendant may need to consider, as an attorney, like a gun lawyer from Flint, MI, at a firm like Olesko Law Firm, PLLC, can explain.