When people in Oklahoma are being investigated for a crime or they are arrested and charged with a serious offense, their first and immediate step should be to invoke their right to an attorney and then to obtain the help of an experienced Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyer. This is not a time for risks, and unfortunately people in this position will make critical mistakes even with the best intentions. Below you'll find examples of five of the worst mistakes people can make when hiring an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer.

 

1.  Making Hasty Criminal Defense Representation Decisions

People who are accused of a serious crime in Oklahoma and who are about to retain an Oklahoma criminal defense attorney are making one of the most critical decisions of their lives. Unfortunately, many people in this position tend to panic and simply hire the first person who becomes available. Those facing prosecution need to understand that there is no time limit on their right to silence, and they can remain silent to police for as long as it takes to find the proper representation.

2.  Going With the Cheapest Representation Possible

Another common and unfortunate mistake that people facing prosecution in Oklahoma make is allowing money to be the deciding factor in their representation. While money can be a concern for many people, a relatively small difference in fees should not be what determines which Oklahoma defense attorney will be working to keep someone out of prison for years if not decades to come.

3.  Withholding Information from Your Attorneys

Every jurisdiction in the United States recognizes and adheres to the need for communications between an attorney and a client to be privileged. Attorneys cannot reveal these communications other than in extremely rare circumstances. Therefore, those who face criminal prosecution owe it to both themselves and their Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer to explain the entire situation to them fully. Attempting to spin the situation or to hide facts from the defense attorney can lead to disastrous consequences, as surprises that are revealed late in the prosecution process can destroy a defense attorney's strategy and approach.

4.  Assuming Your Legal Innocence

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of any criminal prosecution in Oklahoma from the standpoint of the defendant involves understanding the actual and realistic potential results of the situation. Perhaps people have seen too many movies where a defendant 'gets off' after being charged with serious crimes, but the fact of the matter is that it's possible for a defendant to face some sort of penalty or punishment even if his or her Oklahoma criminal defense attorney does a masterful job on the defendant's behalf. This is a situation where pragmatism needs to reign, as there is always a possibility that a result could be positive simply because the potential penalties are reduced.

5.  Making Important Legal Decisions on Your Own

Oklahoma defense attorneys are hired by people facing criminal prosecution for many reasons. One reason is that the defendant needs to be sure that his or her Constitutional rights are properly protected. Another is to make sure that the strategic decisions that need to be made are made by someone with the proper experience. Some defendants will demand all decision-making authority throughout a prosecution, and simply put this is a terrible mistake. Criminal defense attorneys who are properly skilled would likely not agree to represent a client who demands this authority, and now is the time to place a high degree of trust in the hands of professionals.

If you or someone you love faces criminal prosecution, avoid the mistakes mentioned above as you seek to secure the services of an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer. Contact Atkins & Markoff today to schedule an initial consultation.