If you have been accused of a crime in the state of Texas, you will likely want to take immediate action in order to defend yourself and clear your name. Therefore, it is important that you understand the way that criminal defense strategies work and how you can go about getting a fair assessment of your case.
Depending on the specific situation, there are many ways in which you can go about defending yourself, whether you were guilty of the crime or not. While your defense strategy must be based on your individual circumstances, there are three main ways that you can defend yourself from a criminal accusation.
Give sufficient evidence to support your denial
If you had nothing to do with the crime in question, you can completely deny the accusation. However, any evidence to support the theory that you committed the crime may need to be addressed. One of the most successful ways to successfully clear your name is to have an alibi that can be backed up by other people.
Admit the crime, but explain the circumstances surrounding it
Sometimes an accusation of a crime may only be partially true. Perhaps you were forced or tricked into committing a crime on behalf of another person or you accidentally committed a crime because you did not know the consequences of your actions or that it was illegal. If the courts can understand or empathize with you and your thought process, you may be given a reduced charge.
Confess the whole story
If you did commit a crime, it may be that honesty is the best policy. Once you and your legal team have convened, you may decide that it is in your best interests to cooperate with law enforcement involved in the case. This could wind up with your facing a lesser charge and being given a less stringent sentence than you would if you were found guilty at a trial.
Criminal defense strategies in the state of Texas vary widely depending on the nature of the crime. This is why it is important that you take action now and start the process of forming your defense.