When you find yourself facing a pending criminal case, it is necessary to exercise extreme caution when discussing your situation with friends and relatives. While it is natural to seek support and confide in loved ones during challenging times, there are certain topics and details that you should avoid sharing.
Sharing too much information can potentially harm your case, so remain mindful of what you say.
Case-specific details
One of the most important things to avoid discussing with friends and relatives is the specific details of your criminal case. This includes information about the alleged incident, anything related to your involvement or noninvolvement and any evidence that may come up in court. Revealing such details can jeopardize your defense, as privilege does not always protect conversations, and information may unintentionally reach the wrong ears.
Past legal history
Your prior legal history, whether it involves past convictions or legal issues, should also remain off-limits. These discussions can go against you in court and may create an unfavorable impression.
Alleged victims and witnesses
Refrain from discussing the alleged victims or potential witnesses in your case. Talking about these individuals could possibly lead to issues such as witness intimidation or tampering, which can result in more severe charges. Also, it is in your best interest to avoid any communication or interaction with these parties during the legal proceedings.
Legal strategies and advice
Discussing your legal strategies or seeking legal advice from friends and relatives can be problematic. They are too close to you personally and typically lack the capability to provide sound legal guidance.
Guilt or innocence
About 86,000 people undergo arrests every year in Oklahoma. Tempting as it may be to assert your innocence or admit guilt, it is not a good idea to discuss your perceived culpability or innocence. People can take these statements out of context or misconstrue them, potentially harming your case. Maintain a neutral stance.
By being mindful of these topics, you can ensure that you have the best possible chance of a fair trial.