hire a lawyer for your teenage trouble maker

If you believe that you are going to be charged with a felony, you may already understand how serious the matter is. Felonies, such as murder or drug trafficking, are considered to be crimes of a more heinous nature than other offenses, such as traffic violations. As a result, the penalties associated with a felony are more dire. If you are convicted of a felony, you could spend years of your life in prison. In some instances, convicted felons are never permitted to reenter society. Here are some measures you can take to help minimize your chance of a felony conviction:

Remain silent.

When you are apprehended, the arresting officer reads you your rights, one of which is the right to remain silent. This Fifth Amendment right gives you the ability to avoid incriminating yourself after your arrest.

If you are taken into custody for a felony, don't answer any questions. Even if you are innocent of the charges, your answers could be misconstrued to help support a conviction. Instead of responding to interview questions, advise the officers that you will not answer any questions without your lawyer being present.

Also, be sure not to discuss your case with cellmates while you are in custody. In addition, remember that your phone conversations with loved ones are likely being recorded and the content of these calls could be used against you.

Even if you are released on bail, only the conversations with your attorney are protected. Anything that you discuss with friends or family members can be used against you in court.

Don't lose your cool.

Being accused of a felony can be terrifying and infuriating. However, it is important for you to maintain a calm demeanor. A terrible outburst or resistant behavior during your arrest could substantiate the filing of additional charges against you.

Your behavior may also be filmed by the officers using body cameras, and if the video of your erratic or violent behavior is played in court, the evidence could cause the judge or jury to view you in a negative light.

Record your recollection of what occurred.

As time progresses, you may be unable to recall the details of your alibi or the events surrounding a crime. Thus, it is important to record your rendition of what occurred as soon as possible. This can help provide your attorney with the information needed to properly defend your case.

To learn more things you can do to lessen your chance of a conviction, consult with a felony lawyer in your area, such as John McWilliam, PLLC.