Murder is perhaps the most heinous crime as it involves ending a life. Killing someone destroys their family, so the punishment is often the harshest. Murderers end up with long sentences in jail, lose their reputation, and face social stigma for a lifetime. But even a false accusation of murder spells doom, at least, until you prove your innocence. It can ruin your career and disrupt your relationships, even if you have nothing to do with the crime.
Although you may want to assume that truth shall prevail, it is the last thing you should leave to chance. You must have a defense plan to protect yourself and salvage your career in the long run. Remember to think beyond proving your innocence because even a false accusation can tarnish your reputation. Let us share the best career-saving advice you can rely on to deal with false murder charges.
Maintain composure
Murder charges can cause panic, and the reaction is absolutely natural. Nothing gets worse than being accused of killing someone. It can enrage you initially, but you will probably find yourself hanging between stress, fear, and depression. The best piece of advice is to take hold of your emotions in the first place. Losing control can affect your judgment, and you may end up making a mistake that could incriminate you. Take a deep breath, maintain composure, and plan the next step to clear your name and save your career.
Talk to your senior
If something this serious happens in your personal life, your boss or manager must know about it. The best way to get it through is by breaking the news yourself because the message will go wrong if it comes from elsewhere. Choose a senior you trust and feel comfortable with, and narrate the entire situation in detail. Do not conceal facts because they will probably find out everything eventually. It is better to discuss the charges at the earliest so that they can guide you about handling things on the professional front. Your employer may still suspend you during the investigation period. But being honest gives you a chance of returning after proving your innocence.
Build your defense
Building your defense is crucial as it can save your career, relationships, and reputation by clearing your name. You cannot expect to prove your innocence yourself because murder charges are serious. Look for a criminal defense attorney for murder charges to represent you with a robust defense plan. Getting a legal professional on board at the earliest can save you from going too deep into the problem. They can guide you about police statements and questioning. Remember to use your right to stay silent during police interrogation and speak up only after talking to your lawyer.
Do not consent to DNA testing
Besides being careful about police statements, you must not consent to DNA testing or other diagnostics before your lawyer is present. You may land in trouble if something suspicious turns up in tests. People get incriminated due to blood or DNA sample just because of being present at the murder spot. Let your lawyer guide you about handling a request for testing because they know the best. But remember not to tamper with evidence because it may raise doubts about your innocence. People often try to delete phone call records and text messages with victims to avoid investigation. Deleting them from your devices will only make things worse because investigators can still retrieve them.
Gather evidence at your end
Murder charges are daunting, and they may land you in shock. But you must keep your presence of mind and gather as much evidence as possible. Even better, prepare a list of potential witnesses and share it with your lawyer. If the incident occurred at your workplace, you can request a few co-workers to testify to validate your ethics and good character in court. Witnesses add value to your defense plan, and co-workers testifying for you can be your cheerleaders at work when you return eventually. Ask for help from people you trust so that you have someone on your side.
False murder charges are serious, and they can hurt your career. You may face stigma even after getting a clean chit. But it should not keep you from resuming normalcy. Consider returning to work and rebuilding your reputation. A favorable verdict gives you a good start, and your confidence does the rest. Give your best at work, build a support system, and trust yourself. You should not suffer for being innocent, so hold your head high and face the world.