<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Being charged with a serious crime can be frightening, confusing and stressful. You probably have no idea what is coming next or what to do right now. You need to stay calm. It is important to know what to do if you have been charged with a serious crime.</span></p>
<h2 class="western" style="text-align: justify;">Stay Away From the Other Parties Involved</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The first step is to stay away from the other parties involved. This means the accuser or friends of the supposed victim of the crime. Avoid those people completely. Do not go to places where you might accidentally run into them. Do not try to contact them in any way.</span></p>
<h2 class="western" style="text-align: justify;">Write Down the Events</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Take a moment to write down all of the details of the event. Include every detail that you can, even if something seems insignificant. This is important because your memory could fade over time. Having these details can help you to remember later and might be useful to your lawyer.</span></p>
<h2 class="western" style="text-align: justify;">Start Preserving Evidence</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Start preserving any evidence that helps to prove your innocence or the guilt of someone else. The evidence could be text messages or digital photos. It could be clothes, documents or receipts. You want to ensure that the evidence is in a safe place and protected from damage or theft.</span></p>
<h2 class="western" style="text-align: justify;">Speak To A Lawyer As Soon As Possible</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">You will want to contact a trial attorney in Atlanta as soon as possible. A lawyer is very important because this professional will work to defend you and protect your rights. An attorney is necessary in order to mount a proper defense and respond to prosecution tactics.</span></p>
<h2 class="western" style="text-align: justify;">Do Not Talk To Prosecutors Without Representation</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Prosecutors might use questionable methods to force you into a bad plea deal. The prosecutor might try to manipulate you into saying something that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Do not talk to prosecutors unless you have an attorney present.</span></p>
<h2 class="western" style="text-align: justify;">Follow Any Release Conditions to the Letter</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">If you were charged with a crime, then you might have release conditions after posting bail or being let go on your own recognizance. Make certain that you follow any release conditions down to the letter. Do not break them for any reason in order to avoid complications and a return trip to jail.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">The most damaging thing that you can do after being charged with a serious crime is to ignore the situation or attempt to defend yourself. Get a lawyer as soon as possible and start building a real legal defense. If you take the right actions, then you will have a better chance of avoiding a conviction.</span></p>

What You Should Do If You've Been Charged With A Serious Crime
