When we hear that the person close to us (he/she can be our relatives, spouses, or friends) gets arrested by the police, we mostly experience disbelief and get stupefied by the news. And that negative reaction is what we are trying to overcome in this reading precisely.
And you should be aware too of the fact that you have the right to act on behalf of the subjected person. You can provide legal aid by contacting a credible lawyer.
Identifying the problem
A lawyer might seem like a single professional entity, which is not quite true. There are different lawyers for different legal matters.
Some lawyers are specialists in property disputes, while some others are in divorce law. And if you suspect that your subject has been involved in a crime, you will need a criminal defense attorney.
Contacting the expert
Consulting with a lawyer is the best move you can do. And do not make a hasty judgment or even dare to speculate. By providing legal aid, it does not mean that you will get your subject out of their troubles instantly. You will help the justice to prevail, and that should be in your mindset.
Sometimes, the situation may not be as urgent as a police arrest. For instance, one of your close friends is telling you their stories about being under police’s supervision for a drug-related case. In that case, your best option would be to encourage him/her to get an expert opinion.
A criminal defense law firm is, of course, the place to go. But try to look on their sites and see if they have ever handled a case of the similar matter. Do not forget to put on the regional-related keyword. If you live in Tampa, for example, you can type tampa criminal defense lawyer on the browser and see the list of lawyers in that business.
Opt for the one that offers a free by phone or email consultation. You can even try to email several firms to see which ones give the fastest responses.
Be the neutral third party
The thing with legal matters that you must know is that, if you have decided to help, you will be needed until the case is closed. Even if it involves your loved ones or someone that is dear to you, it is vital for you to stay neutral.
If you do not seem to get emotionally affected, and can convince the law enforcers that you are a rational person, your testimony can be considered valid by the court, and you can be eligible to be the witness. But still, do not act recklessly without consulting with the defense lawyer. Otherwise, your reckless good intention can turn the tide of the court battles and put your subject into much worse trouble.
