If you are facing a civil lawsuit in addition to criminal charges, you need to make sure that you do not take responsibility in a settlement or make any statements that could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. Negotiating a settlement could be enough evidence to taint your case and could be used against you in a criminal case. Discuss any possible civil actions against you with your St. Augustine criminal attorney in order to reduce the risk of jeopardizing your criminal case.
Careful Wording in a Civil Case
If you do end up settling a civil case, you will need to work with the personal injury attorney to ensure that you do not admit guilt. While statements regarding responsibility in civil cases are generally inadmissible in criminal hearings, the statements can be admitted if they are made in the course of an official investigation. The statements will not be excluded unless the same law enforcement agency makes those statements. Understanding the legal ramifications of your actions might be challenging, so talk to our St. Augustine criminal lawyer about your case before you take further action in a civil matter.
Testifying in a Civil Case
If you are facing criminal charges after civil litigation, you should not personally discuss any relevant matters during discovery in a civil case. Your lawyer can review your testimony with you, help prepare you for discovery and trial and discuss ways to address the matter that offer the most legal protection. Together, you might consider one of the following options: waiting to proceed with the civil case until the criminal matter is resolved, using the testimony of another person, testifying over the objection of your attorney, or signing a general, as opposed to a specific, statement. Your lawyer might have additional suggestions for you.
If you are involved in civil litigation along with your criminal case, you will need specific counsel on how to handle both matters. A St. Augustine criminal attorney at Canan Law will work with you to craft an effective legal strategy. You can reach them at (904) 849-2266 for further information.
