Bakersfield Criminal Defense Attorney

What to Do After You've Been Charged with a Crime

After you have been arrested, there is a lot to do to protect yourself. Below are some of the most important steps to take after you've been charged with a crime in California.

1. Request a copy of your police report.

The police report is a crucial piece of evidence in your case. It contains the details of the incident that led to your arrest. It also contains the statements made by the police, as well as any statements you may have made. You may be able to use this police report to have evidence suppressed. Without a police report, it can be very difficult to get evidence suppressed.

2. Hire a criminal defense attorney.

This may seem obvious, but you need to hire a criminal defense attorney. The justice system is complex. It is full of traps for the unwary. Without an experienced criminal defense attorney, you will find yourself facing a conviction. You will also find that it is difficult to get the police to follow your requests. For example, you may want to have the police turn over the evidence in your case. Without a criminal defense attorney, it can be very difficult to get the police to comply with your requests.

3. Find out if you can seal your criminal record.

In California, you may be able to seal your criminal record. You can get a petition to seal your record from the court. You will need to show that the conviction is a substantial obstacle in your life. For example, you may need to show that you are applying for a job that requires a clean record. You may not be eligible to have your record sealed. The laws surrounding record sealing are very complex. A criminal defense attorney can help you navigate them.

4. Get evidence collected by the police preserved.

After you have been arrested, the police will collect evidence. This evidence can be critical to your case. For example, if you have been arrested for domestic violence, the police will collect evidence of the incident. This evidence can include pictures, medical records, and other documents. You will want to make sure the police do not destroy this evidence. You can contact the police department to ask that the evidence be preserved. You can also ask that the police do not conduct any tests on this evidence.