One of the first things we at SQ Attorneys have our clients do when they meet with us – do what the officer did – write everything about the incident down. This is so because criminal cases are routinely won or lost on details, details, and more details. Any and every detail may be the difference between a conviction, reduction, dismissal or acquittal. So, if an accused finds himself writing his recollection of a criminal event and he isn’t sure if a certain point matters, he should put it down and let the attorney decide its importance to the overall story. To do so, may be the difference between having his charge reduced or dismissed or being convicted of the alleged crime charged.
It is best that as soon as possible after an arrest, the arrestee take the time to sit down and write out everything he can remember about the arrest and the investigation that was conducted. Moreover, if the person recalls more later, he should go back and add the information to his written recollection. The more information, the better.
It should go as no surprise that this is exactly what law enforcement does after an arrest has been made. This is so because no one has the ability to simply remember details off the top of their noggin in perpetuity, and criminal cases can take months and even years to be resolved. Written recollections are memorialized in ‘reports’, and these reports can often be used to refresh a person’s memory in the future.
Like officers, an accused should also have a written account that he can later reference to refresh his memory. It is helpful to have a written ‘recorded recollection’ of the event to compare and contrast to the officer’s narrative of the event. Often (and not so surprisingly) the reports don’t match one another. The accused’s written recollection, thus, will assist his attorneys in the investigation for the truth. The ultimate goal, of course, is to mount a strong defense based on a solid legal strategy designed specifically for each client’s case. The client can, and should, be a huge advocate in this process.
Whenever cited for a crime it is imperative to hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Attorney. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are cited with an infraction or arrested and/or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.
