If you are accused of a crime, the first step you will go through is the initial contact with the police.You will then be taken to the police station, where one or more officers will question you.Regardless of what the officer tells you, the first officer must have read you your rights at the initialrest before he⁄she is permitted to question you after the arrest.
During the questioning phase, the police will ask you a series of questions pertaining to the crime;and few of the questions will include reverse psychology and psychology tactics to trick you intosaying something that may or may not be true. Thus, the police do not have a right to lead you intosaying false claims, nor do the police have the right to threaten or abuse you during questioning.
If you are innocent of the crime the best legal advice is to answer the questions calmly, however, ifyou are guilty and refuse to answer the questions, you should immediately ask to see a lawyer. Ifyou do not have the money to pay for an attorney, under law you have the right to legalrepresentation, which is handled by a court appointed attorney. Once you are sent to jail, the lawmust admit you to court within 72 hours and during the stay in jail (depending on the state), youhave a right to a speedy trial. If any of these rights are violated, you can demand a mistrial.
Once you are at the preliminary hearing, you will be asked by the judge whether you want to pleaguilty or innocent. By all means plea innocent and request a hearing. If you feel that you areinnocent of committing the crime or that you did not commit it to the extent you have been indictedfor, you should rightfully insist on your innocence, no matter what strategy you have in mind.
