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Important Steps to Follow After a DC Assault Charge

After an arrest for assault of domestic violence, it can be critical for you to have as much support as possible. Therefore, it can be critical to have an experienced assault attorney explain the important steps to follow after a DC assault charge, such as building a defense.

What to Do After a DC Assault Offense

An attorney can advise the accused on the important steps to follow after a DC assault charge or their arrest. When a person is arrested on allegations of assault, the first thing they should keep in mind is to not answer any police questions before or after the arrest, or during an investigation. No one should answer law enforcement questions or make any kind of statement before speaking to an attorney first.

Sometimes, that means the person cannot convey their version of events or tell their side of the story. If a person thinks long-term and declines to answer police questions and asserts their right to remain silent, they give themselves a much stronger argument against the allegation later on.

Expectations Following a DC Assault Charge

When a person is arrested and is questioned by the police, the police may inform them of their Miranda Rights. If the police want to interrogate someone under arrest and use the answers as evidence later in the case, they have an obligation to inform the person that they are under arrest.

The must inform the person that they have the right to have a lawyer present during questioning. When a person is informed of their right to have a lawyer present during a questioning and they invoke that right; that does not mean the police grant the person the opportunity to make a phone call to an attorney to be present at that moment. 

Every person should assert their right to not answer questions from the police in every situation when they are under arrest. When a person asserts their right to not answer questions without the presence of an attorney, the police should cease questioning until the person gets an attorney who can come to the police station and be present during questioning.  If the police continue questioning the person even after they specifically assert their desire to have an attorney present, any answers or responses to those interrogation questions may not be admissible as evidence in that person’s case.

Why is it Important to Wait for an Attorney?

Not speaking to law enforcement without an attorney is the first of the three important steps to follow after a DC assault charge. The second step being to reach out to an attorney or contact someone who can provide assistance in getting the person representation. The person can reach out to a family member, friend, or significant other who can help them find representation.

The third thing is that the person should have a conversation with the attorney they decide to hire before they begin speaking with witnesses or do their own independent investigation. They should speak to an attorney first.

When a person speaks to a lawyer, they can find out what their defenses may be or what their arguments in court may be. An attorney can inform them about what they need to do and what they should avoid doing while their case is pending. That can minimize the chances that the person does something that can hurt their case in a way that cannot be changed later on.

Impact of the Accused’s Role on Their Case

If a person voluntarily and knowingly consents to a search or voluntarily and knowingly waives their right to remain silent and chooses to answer questions, these issues are difficult for even the most skilled attorney to walk back. That means that any evidence found may be used in a person’s trial. Any statements the person makes can be admissible against them and there may be nothing they can do about it.

Remaining silent, speaking to an attorney first, and getting assistance in finding the best attorney for a person’s specific situation can put a person in a strong position early in the case. The attorney can help the person understand what they should and should not do to achieve the best possible result in their case.

Contacting an Attorney

Many people are confused about whether they have the right to a phone call to an attorney immediately after being arrested. Sometimes, police grant a person a phone call after they are arrested. In those situations, many people choose to contact a family member, significant other, or a close friend to inform them about the arrest. Their point of contact can reach out to potential attorneys. In many situations, people who are arrested and are eligible to be released on citation directly from the police station may not be granted the opportunity to make a phone call because they are usually released within three hours of their arrest.