In August, former Florida deputy Steven O’Leary was accused of falsifying 14 drug arrests. According to CNN, over the 11 months that he worked as a deputy, O’Leary made 86 drug arrests. As each case was reviewed, it was discovered that O’Leary had been submitting other substances in place of drugs as evidence. As a result of the false arrests, innocent individuals had been held in jail for multiple days. O’Leary was arrested with a bond set at $1 million.
Unfortunately, a lot of instances of false accusations get made in the state of Florida every year. If you or someone you know has been falsely accused of a crime, it’s important to know what you can do to fight back.
Before you bring a false accusation case in front of a judge, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Everyone who is arrested in the United States is entitled to the same constitutional rights and protections. The most important rights to remember whenever you’re arrested are:
If you believe you were falsely arrested, you should be especially vigilant of the right of accused persons in criminal cases, which states that every person has the right to:
Understanding these rights and discussing the ways your rights were violated will help you provide the evidence you need to prove your false arrest before a judge.
When you believe you’ve been falsely accused of a crime, it’s tempting to speak up and proclaim your innocence. Dishing the details about a false accusation, however, can be a big mistake. If you’re falsely accused of a crime, every time you discuss it is an opportunity to accidentally incriminate yourself. Therefore, before you say anything to anyone, it’s imperative to consult a trusted criminal defense attorney. Once you consult an attorney, do not say anything without getting their approval first.
During any criminal process, it’s likely that prosecutors will attempt to gain incriminating evidence against the accused. If you believe you have been falsely arrested, it’s important to be vigilant of any attempts to gain evidence and exercise your right to protection against unlawful searches and seizures. A search warrant is required to:
Even if you feel you have nothing to hide, there’s always the possibility that someone planted false evidence. If you find yourself in any of the above situations, demand a search warrant and request to speak with your attorney.
In addition to demanding a search warrant, it’s also in your best interest to demand details of how evidence was acquired. If any party claims to have incriminating evidence, it’s your right to know when and how it was obtained.
Under the unfortunate circumstance that you’re arrested and falsely accused of a crime, seek a trusted and competent local attorney right away. In and around the area of Orlando, Florida the lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm are the top choice for criminal defense lawyers. With more than 100 years of combined experience, our team of former prosecutors brings a unique point of view to every case and understands the criminal process.
The Umansky Law Firm believes you should not let your life be defined by a single mistake — especially a mistake you didn’t make. To schedule a free consultation and speak with a live attorney call our office or contact us online today. It’s never too late to get the help you need!
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