One of the easiest defenses to use in a criminal case is that of an alibi. An alibi simply means that you have evidence of being in another location or with another person when the alleged crime was said to have occurred. This usually means that it would have been impossible for you to have committed the crime. 

Here are a few examples of effective alibis and what to do to get legal support after being charged with a crime.

Evidence You Could Not Have Been At the Crime Scene 

The most effective forms of alibi are tangible records that prove you were somewhere else, like: 

Paper Receipts 

A paper store receipt or a record of a credit card transaction that has the date and time on it can be a powerful piece of evidence that clears your name, proving that you were somewhere else entirely when the alleged crime was committed.

Surveillance Video 

Video footage is a highly compelling alibi, similar to a paper receipt, that can provide proof you couldn’t possibly have committed the crime because you were caught on camera somewhere else. Talk to the owner or manager of any establishments you were at when the crime in question was allegedly committed and request any surveillance footage they have from that time and date.

Social Media Posts 

You may be able to use your social media posts as an alibi if you posted an Instagram or Snapchat story or “checked in” at a different place other than the crime scene at the same time the crime was supposedly committed. Even if you were alone and there isn’t anyone else who can testify to where you were, your cell phone’s GPS may provide enough evidence. 

Third-Party Witness Testimony  

If someone was with you, however, obtaining their testimony — either written or under oath — can be helpful in your case. Even if it’s not enough to stand against other, more compelling evidence against you, it may be just enough to raise doubt and avoid a guilty verdict. 

Create a Formidable Alibi With the Help of a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer 

Arguably, a good alibi is one of the most effective ways to create doubt in the prosecution’s case against you or even flat-out prove your innocence. However, you need the help of an experienced attorney to be successful. Contact Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Chad Lewin for an appointment at (800) 458-1488.

If you were charged with a criminal offense, it’s in your best interest to explore whether or not you may be eligible for an expungement. An expungement allows you to have some or all of the crimes you are accused of to be effectively erased from your record. 

This means it can no longer affect your employment prospects, finances, and other aspects of daily life. Here are several examples of what makes someone eligible for an expungement and how to get strong legal support when you’re up against the seemingly impossible.

A Judge Dismissed the Charges  

Case dismissals can be a favorable outcome for defendants, because it allows them the expungement of their criminal records. However, you should be aware of what type of dismissal you received, since this will influence how easy or difficult it will be to get your records expunged. One type of dismissal — with prejudice — means your case is closed permanently. The other — dismissal without prejudice — means your case can be reopened. The latter records are generally more challenging to seal. 

They Received No Charges from the Court 

Even if you are arrested, you may not actually be charged with any crimes. For example, you may be taken into police custody for a criminal offense but later let go after discovering you were not the person the police were looking for. Many people mistakenly assume this means there will be no record of the arrest, but this isn’t true. You’ll need to file a motion to have them expunged. 

They Appealed and a Higher Court Reversed the Decision of the Lower Court    

If you are convicted of a crime, you may think that expungement is off the table. However, you do have the right to file an appeal, which is a request that a higher court review the actions of the court that tried you to determine whether or not anything was out of line. If the appeals court decides the trial was unfair, compromised, or lacked substantial evidence, they can require the original court to retry you or dismiss your case. Then, you may be eligible to expunge or seal those records. 

Call Today for Zealous Legal Support After Being Criminally Charged    

Don’t delay after a criminal conviction to get legal help filing an appeal and working to clear your record. Contact Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Chad Lewin for an appointment at (800) 458-1488.