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By: Jensen Parker, Wed Feb 22nd, 2012
Your life can change instantly when you become involved with a law enforcement agency, local, state or federal. Involvement with law enforcement can take many forms - as an eyewitness, a bystander, a victim, a person of interest, or a suspect. Regardless of how law enforcement enters your life, it is important to remember anything you say may end-up incriminating you. Even though you know you are not involved and only want to help, it is important have an attorney present so that the situation doesn't go against you. Each individual in the custody of law enforcement has the right to remain silent. This is known as Miranda rights, and these words are recited over and over during Prime Time with almost reckless abandon by TV show cops. But these rights are important, and each individual should be prepared and informed when they find themselves in a situation were they are being questioned by police. The three critical components of Miranda are that: 1. you have the right to remain silent, 2. you have the right to an attorney, and 3. anything you say can and will be used against you. Once you ask for a lawyer, law enforcement must stop their questioning until the lawyer arrives. Asking for lawyer at this time may make the difference between going home that night and spending the night in custody.
The law and the nuisances of the criminal justice system must be taken seriously. It takes an experienced, skilled lawyer to navigate the legal system. Once the criminal process begins you are on the defense, fighting for your life. A simple traffic stop can turn serious under certain circumstances, for example the officer may believe you or your car were involved in a crime due to an eyewitness report. You may be seen as a possible threat. If you find yourself involved with the justice system, remember the name; Jeffery Fletcher.
About the AuthorJeffery Fletcher, a highly skilled Sacramento criminal defense attorney, practices law in the Sacramento and East Bay Areas of California. Fletcher is committed to telling his clients the truth and believes that clients should have a clear understanding of the criminal justice process with which they are involved. A long time Sacramento criminal defense lawyer, Fletcher states, "A skilled trial attorney understands crimes and defenses, the law of evidence, the importance of jury selection, and can articulate the law to the facts of a case within an overall strategy to win at trial".