You’ve probably heard some common ideas about the law. Things that sound true but are, in fact, completely off the mark. Sometimes, these myths can seriously mess you up if you believe them.
The law can be tricky. Sometimes the most commonly held beliefs are just plain wrong.
It’s important for you to get your facts right. If you ever get in trouble because of any of these myths, reach out to legal professionals from the top law firms, like Bailey & Galyen Attorneys at Law, for help with the situation.
Here are five of the most popular myths that could land you in serious legal hot water.
“If the Police Don’t Read Me My Rights, They Can’t Arrest Me.”
We’ve all seen TV shows and movies where the police slap on handcuffs and then immediately start reading the Miranda rights. You know, with the “You have the right to remain silent…” and so on. A lot of people think that if those rights aren’t read, any arrest is automatically invalid. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Yes, it’s true that when you’re arrested, police are supposed to inform you of your rights. But not having your rights read to you doesn’t automatically mean the arrest is illegal.
In fact, if you’re arrested, the police can take you into custody and question you later without reading you the Miranda rights, and everything can still be legal. The rights are meant to protect you from self-incrimination during questioning, not to prevent an arrest itself.
The only fact here is that if the police arrest you and don’t read you your rights right away, they just can’t use anything you say during questioning against you in court unless they read you those rights first. However, the arrest is still valid, and they can gather evidence in other ways.
“It’s Fine to Leave the Scene of an Accident as Long as No One is Hurt.”
Even if no one is injured, the law in every state requires that you remain at the scene of the accident until the authorities arrive. You have to exchange insurance information with the other driver(s), and, in some cases, you might need to call the police to file a report.
Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a hit-and-run, and that’s a criminal offense whether there’s an injury or not.
“You Can’t Be Fired for Posting on Social Media.”
You might think your social media accounts are your private space to vent, joke around, or even air your grievances. But if you work for a company, think again. Social media posts can absolutely get you fired.
First off, the idea that your posts are protected under the freedom of speech is not true when it comes to your job. If you’re working for a private company, they have the right to set policies about what’s acceptable to post online, especially if it’s related to your work or your behavior.
For example, making racist comments, sharing inappropriate photos, or even badmouthing your boss could be grounds for termination, even if you did it outside of working hours.
“I Don’t Need a Lawyer for a Minor Offense, like Traffic Tickets.”
A lot of people think that minor offenses are no big deal. But the truth is, some minor offenses can have serious consequences.
Take traffic tickets, for instance. They can add points to your license, hike up your insurance premiums, or even lead to a suspension of your driving privileges if you accumulate too many. Some traffic tickets could involve serious consequences, such as potential criminal charges if you’re caught driving without a license, driving under the influence, or causing an accident while violating traffic laws.
“If I’m Not at Fault in an Accident, I Don’t Need to Worry About My Insurance.”
Just because the accident wasn’t your fault doesn’t mean your insurance company will pay out right away. Sometimes, if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you might find yourself stuck paying for your own damages. Or, even worse, your insurance rates could skyrocket as a result of the accident.
If you’re ever involved in an accident, especially one that’s complicated or involves an at-fault driver without sufficient insurance, you really should consider consulting with an attorney to understand your options.