Working through the trauma of a wrongful death case can be incredibly difficult for those defending themselves in a courtroom. Add to that the mental anguish brought on by the piling on of potential imprisonment and the moral dilemma of the entire situation, and you can see that defendants face a lot all at once. One method of coping with the stress of it all is to keep yourself busy at home while preparing for the trial. Other defendants decide to write a letter to someone in jail to normalize the experience that they think may lie ahead of them. But activities or letter writing alone might not be enough to keep your mind focused on the case ahead and the long healing process that you must ultimately travel through. Here are some additional tips to help you deal with the situation. take
Find an attorney you trust.
The first, and most important, part of preparing for and coping with a wrongful death case is to find a Denver injury attorney that you trust to handle your case. An injury attorney will handle everything for you from soup to nuts and will help guide you through this difficult time. Anyone finding themselves as a defendant in a case with stakes like this should take the time to find a good attorney. You need to hire a professional that will fight for you to the bitter end rather than relying on an overworked public defender to uphold your interests.
These hired hands will spend countless hours reviewing the facts in your case and give you the best defense possible. Wrongful death cases are often a question of motive or negligence, and your attorney will go to bat for you in order to prove that you weren’t responsible. These are tricky cases, and you don’t want just anyone representing you in the courtroom during this life-altering experience.
A great lawyer will help you with anything that you might need. He or she may come to your home to discuss the case with you, organize bail money, or make other arrangements that provide you with some relief during this difficult time. It’s important to remember that you deserve the best possible defense, as well as a free and fair trial, no matter the circumstances surrounding the case or any media attention that your case may be drawing. Your lawyer might even discuss a hotel arrangement with you if this becomes too much to handle. A trustworthy attorney will take care of everything you’ll need before and through to the end of your case, so make sure you choose wisely.
Stay busy; it does help.
While staying busy on its own may not be enough to keep your mind occupied ahead of a court date, this strategy can go a long way toward keeping you calm in the face of such turbulent seas. Court proceedings can be incredibly nerve-wracking, so keeping focused on anything else is always a positive as your date approaches. Many people find that leaning into their hobbies helps keep them thinking of other things.
Alternatively, you could try picking up a new hobby to set your mind to the task of learning something you’ve never done before. Hiking or fishing are always great additions to the troubled mind, and the peace of the outdoors may be the perfect remedy to the trauma you’re dealing with. Studies have shown that even just 20 minutes outside can help improve your mood, blood circulation, and heart and lung health. Reducing stress by taking long walks or sitting outside in your local park is a great way to mentally prepare for the road ahead.
Keep yourself sober.
This may sound like an obvious piece of advice for someone going through a difficult time, but drinking or falling into a habit of drug abuse is the worst thing you can do for yourself at a time like this. For those with addictive personalities or a history of drinking or drug use during times of high stress, engaging in sober group activities is a great way to resist these urges.
Using, in any form, is a pathway to disaster when you’re facing long odds or feeling down. This is especially true when you’re up against the law. Keeping your head clear and your focus on what lies ahead is critical to maintaining your freedom during and beyond the trial date, so staying sober should be a top priority.
Visit with your family before the day.
Before your trial, you should spend your free time visiting with friends and family. With a strong defense and a bit of good fortune, you’ll be acquitted of any wrongdoing, but this is far from a certainty in any court case. You must make the most of your remaining time before the trial begins by spending every minute that you can with loved ones. In the event that you’re found guilty, you’ll miss them terribly during your sentence, and so will they. Making this time count is crucial because jail time will absolutely take away some special moments that should be spent celebrating with family and friends.
It’s important to come to grips with this possibility before the court date arrives, but this is often difficult, if not impossible, to do if you spend the days or weeks leading up to it running from the realization that it could all end. No matter how painful, you must face the possibility of a guilty verdict head-on and accept that it may come to that. However, a guilty verdict doesn’t mean that your life is over. There is still so much to live for and to be thankful for. No matter the circumstances of your case, redemption and acceptance are just around the corner. But these will never come if you hide away from the full picture of what has already happened. Take ownership of your situation, and work toward moving on with your life in order to make the most of this time before and after your trial.
