The human mind is a funny thing. We like to think we're in control of how our own brains operate, but that's not exactly how things work. One of the many peculiarities of our physiology is that when we're faced with trauma, our brains are sometimes overwhelmed to the point that we simply can't remember what happened after the fact. They're trying to protect us. What do you do, though, if you find yourself charged with a crime and can't remember what might have happened? First and foremost, you must contact an attorney immediately.

Amnesia Complicates Your Situation

All criminal cases are complex. Defending yourself isn't just about having the truth on your side. You also need to know how to navigate the justice system and how to use the rule of law to your advantage.

If you aren't sure what happened, though, your criminal case becomes exponentially more complicated. You may think that amnesia will make it harder for the prosecution to prove you are guilty. Surely judges and juries are less likely to convict someone who doesn't remember having committed a crime. However, memory loss also makes it hard to defend yourself. If you don't remember what happened, you can't establish a clear counter-narrative to the prosecution's description of events. If you can't simply rely on facts to prove your innocence, you have to rely even more on the law itself to avoid a guilty verdict.

Amnesia Makes You Vulnerable

Your inability to remember what happened during an event leaves you open to an even more dangerous possibility—that the police might just convince you you're guilty when you're not.

Again, the human mind is a funny organ. Not only will it block out whole events if they are traumatic enough, but it's also very open to suggestion. If we are told something when we're in a vulnerable state and told it repeatedly, we can come to believe it is reality, even if it isn't.

Case law is full of examples of defendants who confessed to crimes that DNA later proved they could not possibly have committed. If you can't remember what happened, you're extremely vulnerable in a police interview room. You need someone at your side to help you answer questions but also to make sure the police don't manage to convince you that you did something you didn't actually do.

Attorney Joseph D. Lento Can Help

It is always in your best interest to contact an attorney if you've been charged with a crime. Any crime. If you're suffering memory loss related to a criminal allegation, though, you simply must contact an attorney. Failing to do so puts you at an extreme disadvantage in trying to defend yourself, a bit like trying to fight with your eyes closed.

If you find yourself in this situation, our Criminal Law Team can help. Our Criminal Law Team aren'ts typical defense attorney. We have experience tackling the tough cases. We know what to do if you're being charged with a DUI and simply can't remember what happened or if you have no memory of a sexual assault the police insist you committed. You need an attorney, but you need the right attorney, someone who knows how to handle the specific complexities of your case. Our Criminal Law Team is that attorney.

For more information, contact the LLF Law Firm today. Call 888-555-3686.