Violent crimes are among the most destructive allegations an individual can face both in terms of reputation and consequences. Being convicted of crimes such as rape and murder tends to bring years of jail time, and even if you are found not guilty of the crime, simply being accused of it can often make you a social pariah. Still, being acquitted is vastly preferable to being convicted, but even innocent people are sometimes misjudged due to circumstantial evidence or lack of solid defense.
One South Florida man may be facing a serious judgment, the death penalty, by late October. Recently at a hearing about his sentence, the man defiantly dared the judge to issue the death penalty, claiming that he was innocent. According to the man’s own words, he has friends who are in gangs, but he himself is not a gang member. It appears that the man believes he is being accused of guilt by association.
Unfortunately, such instances are not unheard of in the criminal justice system. If you have a history of associating with dangerous criminals, even if you did not know they were dangerous criminals, you might be suspected or accused of collaborating with them. Any amount of circumstantial evidence might sway a jury against you, and that may be all it takes for a conviction.
All defendants have the right to an attorney, and if the evidence appears to be stacked against you, it is in your best interests to exercise this right. A legal counselor can look at the evidence in the case with a trained eye and help you mount a better defense to clear your name.
Source: CBS News, “Convicted Fla. Killer defiant at death penalty hearing,” Sep. 15, 2014
