Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Facing Criminal Charges in Mississippi

When you’ve handled thousands of criminal cases like we have at McCormick Lawrence, you start to notice a pattern: people make the same mistakes over and over again. We get it — being charged with a crime is stressful, confusing, and most people don’t know what to expect. But some of the most common slip-ups can make your situation worse, especially if you’re facing criminal charges in Mississippi like a DUI, drug charge, or even a felony.

If you or someone you know has been arrested in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Lucedale, or anywhere else on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, here are the top 5 mistakes we see people make — and how to avoid them.

1. Talking to the Police Without a Lawyer

We say this all the time: don’t talk to law enforcement without a lawyer — ever. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re helping your case, or just “clearing things up.” The truth is, if the police have enough evidence to arrest you, they’re going to do it whether you talk or not. And if they don’t have enough evidence, your words might be exactly what gives them probable cause.

We get that it may feel like refusing to talk makes you look guilty — but the law says they can’t use your silence against you. You have a constitutional right to remain silent, and exercising that right is smart, not suspicious. In fact, the best thing you can say is: “I’m not answering any questions without my lawyer present.” Then stop talking.

Once you start talking, even something small or innocent can be twisted, misunderstood, or taken out of context. It’s one of the biggest and most common mistakes people make — and we see it come back to haunt them all the time.

2. Waiting Too Long to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Time is not your friend when you’re facing criminal charges. The longer you wait to get a lawyer involved, the more risk there is of missing important opportunities — especially when it comes to protecting evidence that could help your case.

Surveillance footage gets erased. Witnesses disappear or forget details. Officers move on. We’ve seen cases turn on a single piece of evidence that would have been lost if we hadn’t acted quickly. A good defense often starts before charges are even filed — sometimes we’re able to prevent them entirely.

Hiring a criminal defense attorney early means someone is looking out for your rights from the very beginning. Whether it’s filing motions to preserve evidence, requesting body cam footage, or building a strategy from day one, early intervention can make all the difference.

3. Posting on Social Media About Your Case

Avoid talking about your case online — even if your account is private. Prosecutors and investigators often check social media for statements or photos they can use in court. Don’t give them anything to work with.

4. Missing Court Dates or Deadlines

Nothing hurts a case faster than missing court or picking up new charges while you’re out on bond. When we get hired on a case where there’s already a bench warrant out or the client’s gotten into more trouble, it’s like starting a baseball game down five runs in the first inning. You’re not out of the game, but you’re definitely not in a good position.

Judges take missed court dates seriously, even if it was a mistake or a mix-up. And prosecutors are a lot less willing to negotiate if they think you’re not taking the case seriously. One of the easiest ways to help yourself is to stay out of trouble and show up on time, every time.

If you’re not sure when your next court date is, call the court or your lawyer. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

5. Assuming the Charges Will Just Go Away

Hoping a case will be dismissed on its own is a risky bet. Even minor charges can have long-term consequences on your job, license, or criminal record. The sooner you take your charges seriously and start building a defense, the better.

Get Help from Experienced Mississippi Criminal Defense Attorneys

At McCormick Lawrence, we represent clients across South Mississippi with charges ranging from DUI and drug offenses to violent crimes and white-collar cases. If you’re facing charges in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Lucedale, or anywhere in between — we can help.