Reasons Why Destroying the Evidence is a Bad Idea

Are you on trial for your freedom? Police arrested you and are holding you without bail, and they say you’re charged with multiple crimes? Do you think that the police have found evidence that can put you away for years or even decades behind bars? If so, then you might be tempted to destroy the evidence in an attempt to save yourself from losing your freedom, but don’t do it. Here are a few reasons why destroying the evidence is a bad idea, as suggested by criminal defence lawyers.

If You Have Destroyed Evidence,

You Can Still Be Prosecuted

The fact that you may have tapped your phone or computer in order to destroy potential evidence does not prevent you from being prosecuted. You can still be charged with destruction of evidence. In fact, if you have already destroyed evidence, you may be more likely to face criminal charges than if there were no destruction of evidence because prosecutors are often eager to prove that defendants are guilty even when they have sufficient proof to prosecute them for their crime(s).

Your Assets Could Be Seized

It’s not just your house and car that will be seized if you’re found guilty of destroying evidence, but also any additional assets you may have including your bank accounts, investment portfolios and investments. If they are willing to come after your money, what is stopping them from coming after more of it? This means when it comes to handling evidence, there are no do-overs.

State’s Witness Could Go against You

If you destroy evidence before you are discovered, it could be used against you in court. It's always possible that someone knew about your crime and didn't say anything. That person could make up their mind to go tell on you after they see what happens to you. If so, it would be very helpful if there was evidence to prove what happened.

Its’ Easy To Convict You

When you're arrested, police can search your possessions and property. If they find something that indicates you've committed a crime, they can use it as evidence to try to convict you. They don't need to wait until after you're convicted in order to seize your assets. They also don't need proof of wrongdoing beyond a reasonable doubt in order to confiscate your stuff. In fact, they may not even need probable cause for an arrest or search warrant before taking action against you.

Can result in Prosecution

If you know that evidence exists of your wrongdoing and you destroy it, law enforcement can still prosecute. If there’s no way to retrieve that video, law enforcement may not be able to do anything, but if you destroyed it after knowing its contents might prove wrongdoing, you could potentially face prosecution.

As you see, destroying the evidence is a bad idea. The criminal law in Sydney is complex and strict. If you’ve been wrongfully convicted or committed a crime, your best bet could be seeking the legal assistance of criminal solicitors.

Signs That You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you’ve been injured in an accident and there’s someone else to blame, you may want to consider contacting a personal injury attorney in Rio Rancho. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, it might be the best move you can make. But how can you tell if this is really necessary? Here are a few tell-tale signs that indicate you need to contact personal injury law firm Rio Rancho nm immediately and get advice from someone who knows what they’re doing.

You Were Involved in an Accident

Accidents happen every day, and sometimes, they’re unavoidable. If you were in an accident that wasn’t your fault, and if your medical bills are out of control or you missed work after getting hurt at work, it may be time to consider hiring a personal injury attorney to help handle all of those legal issues for you. 

Your Injuries Stopped You from Being Able to Work

If you can’t return to work due to your injuries and thus won’t be earning a regular income, you might need a personal injury lawyer. If you have been unable to work for several weeks and still haven’t seen improvement, it is time to consider consulting with car accident lawyers in Rio Rancho who specializes in car accident injuries.

Your Medical Bills Kept Rising

If your medical bills keep on rising and you have no other choice but to foot these costs, then it’s time to look for legal support. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim so that an insurance company has to pay up. These attorneys often charge contingency fees, which means they will only get paid if they win your case. This makes it easier for people with injuries who cannot afford lawyers.

The At-Fault Party Refused to Pay Damages Right Away

If your injuries were severe enough that you required immediate medical attention, it’s probably not going to be easy to negotiate an out-of-court settlement with another driver. In these situations, it’s best to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. This allows for time for your attorney to research what kind of damages (medical bills, etc.) will likely be paid from your claim and how long each phase of litigation could take.

Negotiations didn’t go as Planned

When an insurance company refuses to settle with you and your case is going to trial, it’s important to have legal representation by your side. That is because insurance companies will do anything they can to make sure they aren’t paying out as much money as possible; therefore, it’s critical that you have someone on your side who understands how insurance companies operate. This includes using tactics like pressuring witnesses, fabricating evidence and even lying under oath.