Q: What do I do if I’ve been charged for lying to a police officer when I didn’t really lie to them?
My grandmothers dog was taken by her x and was later found in a complete different location by animal control after we went and got him from animal control had pictures and vet info they called me and told me that they had found the actual owner because that person had recent pictures and charged me and my grandmother for “lying to a police officer”
A: If you have been charged with a crime, the burden of persuasion before the court if on the Government. In other words, the government has to convince the judge / jury that there is no reasonable doubt that you lied to them. That is an extremely high burden to meet. Obviously, preparation of a defense in a situation that you describe requires the time and attention of an attorney, and you should contact an attorney to sit down and talk with them about the specifics of your case, so that you can chart a path forward as to demonstrating to the judge / jury that there are reasonable doubts that you lied to the officer. In order to prove that you were lying to the officer, they have to not only prove that what you said was not true, but that you KNEW it wasn't true when you said it. That is going to be the hardest part of their case against you. Whether they can prove that you knew it wasn't true, will take a thoughtful review of all the facts in your case by a skilled criminal defense attorney. You should contact an attorney for assistance in your defense.
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