If you’re accused of a crime, it can be overwhelming to know where to go or what to do. Here’s some information to get you started.
There are two critical things you need to keep in mind: 1) Do not talk to police about the accusations, and 2) Contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
If police suspect you have committed a crime, they’ll want to talk to you. There is NOTHING you can say at this point that will help you. Either A) They have enough information to charge you with a crime, and they are just looking to fit more pieces in the puzzle featuring you, and you only, or B) They do not have enough information to charge you with a crime or arrest you. In either scenario, talking to police without a lawyer does not help you!
Police are not allowed to use someone’s silence, or request for a lawyer, as an indication of guilt (in fact, a jury cannot consider, or even hear evidence that someone has asked for a lawyer or decided not to talk to police.) The best you can do by talking to police is avoid being arrested because you are “cooperative.” So skip the conversation, and call an experienced criminal defense lawyer like Brook Reinhard if police are making inquiries.
Police need “probable cause” to arrest someone with a crime. This standard just means “more than 50/50”. Being arrested does NOT mean you are guilty of a crime.
Some misdemeanor crimes, like Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, have other, non-criminal issues that must immediately be dealt with. If you are arrested for DUII and fail or refuse a breath, urine or blood test, you have only 10 days to request a hearing before the State takes steps to suspend your license. Call us today if you are accused of DUII or any other crime.
Felony crimes have an additional protection of a grand jury or preliminary hearing before someone can be formally indicted. In Oregon, defense attorneys may only be present at grand jury hearings when and if the accused is testifying. The hearings are recorded, and defense attorneys receive a copy of what happened 10 days later. If you are suspected or accused of a felony crime, you should immediately contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to start making decisions on how to proceed, including whether testifying at the grand jury might be a good decision. Do not make this decision alone – contact Reinhard Law for advice and representation.
Contact Our Office Today!
142 W. 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon, 97401
458-240-2009
Email: brook@reinhard.law