What not to do when you have pending criminal charges

You may feel like it is the end of the world if you have criminal charges pending against you in Boston. After all, you may not know what to expect and how misdemeanor or felony criminal charges can hurt your future. It is important for you not to let your feelings or stress get in the way of how you handle the situation. 

You need a clear mind so you can keep track of things and make the right decisions moving forward. Until the judge issues a verdict in your case, you should be mindful of the things you say and do. Here is a brief overview of actions that can have an adverse impact on your situation. 

Posting on social media 

The things you say and do online, especially on social media, are admissible in court. Once you post something online, you have little control over how others interpret it. The prosecution can take out of context photos of and comments about you partying, drinking and hanging out, using them to discredit you and making it harder for you to defend yourself. If you cannot stay off social media, at least practice discretion. Your privacy settings do not make your online activity private. The prosecution can always subpoena access to your online accounts. 

Representing yourself in court 

You may feel that your criminal charges are not enough for you to concern yourself with hiring an attorney. However, a defense attorney can help you to minimize their effects and keep you from making crucial mistakes that could lead to imprisonment, additional fines and stiffer penalties. Many issues may come up before your trial date that could make it harder for you to defend yourself. You also do not have the knowledge or experience to overcome the prosecution’s tactics. Representing yourself puts you at a severe disadvantage and the prosecution’s mercy. 

With good behavior and the right defense strategies, you can keep criminal charges from having a lasting impact on your life. You can also protect your record and rights.