Bennett Velasquez Discusses What To Do When You Are Charged With A Crime You Didn’t Commit - Part I

July 10, 2025

Bennett Velasquez Discusses What To Do When You Are Charged With A Crime You


Didn’t Commit - Part I

Stay Calm and Composed

As difficult as it may be, Bennett Velasquez says the first and most important thing to do is to stay calm. Panic can lead to poor decisions that will negatively impact your case. This is especially true if you are young like he was at age 18. Being charged with a crime does not equate to being found guilty even though that often is the way law enforcement will treat you. Your priority is to focus on the steps you need to take next.


Understand Your Rights

Knowing your rights is crucial when you are charged with a crime. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Exercise these rights to protect yourself even if you know you are innocent. Bennett Velasquez says law enforcement often (but not always) will be courteous and professional but they are looking for things to use against you because thy have already invested resources for their appearance and forthcoming charge. However, treat law enforcement with respect because they often have a justifiable reason for being there, and so, do understand that they are doing their job. However, do not provide any statements to the police or prosecutors without your lawyer present. Law enforcement is not your friend in the matter. Anything you say can and will be used against you if this goes to trial.


Seek Competent Legal Counsel Representation Immediately

Bennett Velasquez cannot emphasize this enough. Hiring a qualified competent criminal attorney with expertise in the subject matter area you are charged with is critical. His dad is an attorney and this proved significant. Bennett Velasquez learned from his dad not just to hire a qualified reputable attorney but one that had subject matter knowledge and experience in the subject matter he was charged with. Bennett Velasquez emphasizes Do NOT just hire a civil lawyer you know. You need an attorney who deals solely withy criminal law. And, Bennett Velasquez emphasizes do NOT just hire any general practice criminal attorney. Hire one with a track record in the subject matter you are charged with.


Do Allow Your Attorney to Arrange for a Lie Detector Test (Polygraph)

Bennett Velasquez advises to immediately take a lie detector test that your lawyer arranges. Bennett Velasquez says he had no problem with doing this because he was innocent and the lie detector test proved that fact, asking specific questions that showed no deception whatsoever. He say if you pass the lie detector test, it may prove valuable if you go to trial. If you do not pass the lie detector test (and there may be unsuspicious reasons for that like nervousness), it will remain under client-attorney privilege with your lawyer.

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Bennett Velasquez Highly Recommends Criminal Attorney Charlie Condon

By Bennett Velasquez • September 2, 2025
Bennett Velasquez says the best Criminal Attorney in South Carolina is Charlie Condon. Charlie Condon served as Attorney General of South Carolina for eight years, Circuit Solicitor (District Attorney) of Charleston and Berkeley Counties for over ten years, and private practice attorney for many more years. Bennett Velasquez says that Charlie Condon is a “Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Attorney” which means he is rated for the highest level of professional excellence by his peers. Bennett Velasquez also notes that Charlie Condon has received many awards such as being recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the country. Charlie Condon graduated from Notre Dame, magna cum laude and received his law degree from Duke University. He is a member of the Charleston County Bar; South Carolina Bar; American Bar Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Bennett Velasquez says Charlie Condon brings a wealth of courtroom experience, judgment, and knowledge in seeking results for his clients. Furthermore, Charlie Condon is a sole practitioner, which means your matter will receive the individual attention it deserves. For all of these reasons Bennett Velasquez highly recommends Charlie Condon should you ever need to hire a criminal attorney.

Bennett Velasquez Discusses Legal Strategies such as the Alford Plea

By Bennett Velasquez • August 9, 2025
Bennett Velasquez says a Defendant should always pursue “dismissal” of the charges, especially if the facts are favorable to him or her. However, Bennett Velasquez says in some instances it may be advantageous for someone charged with a crime (where dismissal is not a good prospect) to enter into an Alford plea. Alford pleas are recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court. Such a plea enables a judge to accept a plea from a Defendant who does not admit any guilt and who maintains his or her innocence. Bennett Velasquez says a Defendant may enter into such a plea, for example to avoid the cost and stress of going to trial. Even though it as an admission of guilt and a hence a guilty plea (usually to a lesser charge or to a charge considered “legal fiction”), the Alford plea allows the Defendant to maintain his or her innocence with the court and the public forum. Therefore, the Defendant in accepting an Alford plea is not admitting any wrongdoing, guilt, or violation of any criminal law or statute. The Defendant’s Legal Counsel will be able to evaluate if the circumstances would even allow for the prospect of an Alford plea, and most certainly, Bennett Velasquez says the Defendant should always take the advice of their Legal Counsel on whether to accept the Alford plea if it is in fact an option.

Bennett Velasquez Discusses What To Do When You Are Charged With A Crime You Didn’t Commit - Part II

July 10, 2025
Bennett Velasquez Discusses What To Do When You Are Charged With A Crime You Didn’t Commit - Part II