Should You Ever Speak to Police Without an Attorney After a Murder Charge?
No. Murder is the most serious offense that you can be charged with. The consequences are severe, with an advisory sentence of 65 years’ imprisonment or a potential death sentence or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. When you are facing such serious consequences, you should not try to handle the matter yourself. Instead, reach out to the board-certified attorneys at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC for legal assistance.
Why You Need to Speak to a Lawyer First
When a death has occurred, you might think if you talk to the police, you can clear up the matter and explain that it was just an accident or that you were defending yourself. However, you could inadvertently wind up saying something that incriminates yourself.
Law enforcement officers take murder very seriously. They will want to find the person who committed the crime as quickly as possible because it’s bad for public relations to let such a serious crime go unsolved. Sometimes, law enforcement will arrest the first person suspected of committing the crime without putting forth much of an investigation or trying to determine whether a crime was actually committed or if the event was an unfortunate accident.
Anything you say to law enforcement can be used against you to charge you and possibly convict you. A conviction for murder carries lifelong consequences.
Rather than speaking directly with law enforcement, you should instead exercise your right to remain silent and request a criminal defense lawyer. Your lawyer will have attorney/client privilege with you, so anything you say to them remains confidential unless you give them permission to share it. If your lawyer hears your story and thinks that there is information you should share with police, they can help prepare a written statement for you, speak on your behalf, or advise you what to say.
Your criminal defense lawyer in Indianapolis could also try to negotiate a plea bargain in which they leverage your statement or cooperation for a more favorable outcome in your criminal case.
Why You Should Choose The Criminal Defense Team for Your Murder Case
When you are facing the harshest penalties possible, you need dedicated legal representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC, we have over 110 years of combined legal experience representing individuals accused of various crimes. This experience includes handling serious crimes and violent offenses, including murder.
Our firm has four of the five board-certified criminal trial specialists in the state. We have the in-depth understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, and rules of evidence to develop a tailored legal defense to fight the charges. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
Contact Our Board-Certified Criminal Defense Lawyers for Immediate Legal Counsel
If you have been arrested for murder or believe that you are under suspicion for murder, call our skilled Indianapolis murder defense attorneys at The Criminal Defense Team immediately. Call us at (317) 678-9853 to get started with your confidential consultation.