What To Do If Your Constitutional Rights Are Violated
When you’re accused of a crime, you’re still considered innocent until proven guilty. You have a right to a fair trial, and nobody should treat you unjustly, as a family lawyer, such as from Daniel J. Wright, can explain. There are other constitutional rights you are also entitled to, even during the criminal justice process. If you feel those constitutional rights have been violated, you can take action.
Educate Yourself
Before going too far, take a moment and educate yourself. Some actions might seem like they’re violations of your rights, when they’re really just fine under the law. Some wrongdoings that could be considered a violation of your constitutional rights include:
- The denial of legal counsel
- An illegal seizure of evidence
- The denial of a speedy trial
After you educate yourself about these issues, you’ll have a better idea whether your rights were violated or not. If you feel they were, you can move ahead. If you realize the law was followed, you can still consult an attorney to be sure, but you might just have to move ahead with the criminal justice process.
Contact a Lawyer
As was previously mentioned, you need to consult an attorney. This applies to whether you feel your rights were violated or not. If they were, your lawyer can help you make a case to present before a judge. It’s going to take some time to gather evidence and create that case, but it will be worth it if you can get the accusations thrown out.
If you’re nervous about getting an attorney involved, realize he or she is probably going to be your most important advocate. Lawyers understand the law, understand violations and understand what can be done to right a wrong.
Present Your Case
There are different parties you could file a lawsuit against when your constitutional rights are violated. For example, if an officer takes your property without a search warrant, and it’s considered illegal seizure of evidence, you could sue that officer. You and your lawyer will present the case before the judge, and he or she will read and listen to determine what should happen. If the judge rules in your favor, it could benefit your criminal case, as certain evidence may not be allowed, etc.
Getting Started Today
There’s no time to waste when you’re accused of a crime and feel you have been unfairly dealt with. Contact a criminal justice lawyer today to discuss the violation of your constitutional rights and to get started with a case against the individual who violated them.