THE ACCUSATION
Unfortunately, many people become aware of a criminal accusation when they are contacted by the police. The police know this, and use this moment of surprise, shame, and shock to their advantage to build their case by obtaining statements.1 Hiring competent counsel as soon as possible is imperative.

An attorney can step between you and the police, providing a layer of protection from the fear, and hassling that often come with being labeled as a suspect. Additionally, defense investigation can begin while critical physical evidence is still available, and eyewitness testimony has not been clouded by police interrogations or simply fading with time.

Occasionally however, an accusation will come to the attention of the "suspect" prior to contact by law enforcement; it is at this time that obtaining an attorney is ideal. Once involved, an attorney can begin investigating the allegations, and make inquiries with the investigating officers or detectives. It is easier to defend a case that is never criminally charged than it is once the criminal justice machinery has begun its work. By investigating the case early, there is still time to plant the seeds of doubt, or innocence, with those who will be making charging decisions - those decisions will impact the rest of your life.

Many people accused of criminal acts want to begin immediate prosecution of their accuser, either civilly or criminally; most defense attorneys will advise dealing with your own legal situation before pursuing remedies against the accuser in order to best defend your case.

The only way to assess your situation is to sit down with an experienced attorney to discuss your problem.

1 The television program Law & Order begins by informing viewers there are two parties in the criminal justice system, the police and the prosecutors. www.nbc.com/Law_&_Order. In actuality, this simplified version ignores most notably, the defense and your rights once accused.