subject: Under Criminal Investigation? Be Proactive About It [print this page] Clients frequently wait to hire lawyers until they are technically indicted. Often times, however, had that individual hired a lawyer when they first became aware that they were under criminal investigation that individual might have averted indictment altogether or, at least, been in a better position to defend themselves once they were indicted. Just like being important to see a physician before it is too late, it is essential to be proactive about a criminal investigation.
For Instance, if you retain an attorney early, a criminal defense lawyer has the ability to conduct his or her own investigation while the facts are still clear in the minds of potentially favorable witnesses. Also, they will often interview possible co-defendants before the co-defendants hire their own attorneys and become "off limits." Time And Again, attorneys have seen the testimony of witnesses undergo tiny but important changes after they are interviewed by police officials. Therefore, it is often super helpful when the defense is able to interview the witnesses and "lock in" their statements before they are interviewed by police officials.
Also, if retained early on in the process, a criminal defense lawyer can discover what steps you should take in an attempt to avoid an indictment. An attorney can guide you on whether it is wise to meet with the police or government officials. Likewise, your attorney may be present at any meeting. A lawyer can also find if it is wise to hire a polygrapher. While "lie detector" tests are usually inadmissible at a legal trial, they can be presented to prosecutors or law enforcement officials along with other data in an effort to persuade law enforcement officials not to pursue charges.
Indeed, by putting together as much data as possible, it is sometimes possible for a lawyer to convince law enforcement not to pursue charges in the first place or to convince prosecutors not to attempt an indictment. Even if prosecutors can't be convinced to drop the charges completely, they may be persuaded to pursue less serious charges.
Likewise, in many locations in the State of Texas, attorneys may make a demonstration to any grand jury considering your case and present witness statements and alike to the grand jury in an attempt to win over the grand jury not to indict you (in other words return a "no bill" on the indictment).
The bottom line, is that, by hiring an attorney early, you may save significant cost and stress down the line. It is less costly and much less stressful to be proactive and attempt to avoid an indictment in the first place than to fight criminal charges at a full-blown jury trial.
Simply put, if you learn you are being investigated and potentially facing criminal charges, you should contact a lawyer IMMEDIATELY. Almost all lawyers do not charge for initial calculations, so you really have nothing to lose by being proactive.
