Hearing that a friend or loved one is going through legal troubles can be quite shocking. However, they’ll likely rely on your support and companionship during this time more than ever before. After all, legal troubles or convictions could impact every aspect of their life – from their career prospects to their personal relationships.
With that in mind, here’s some advice that you may find useful when supporting a friend who is going through legal troubles.
Offer them non-judgemental support
One of the best ways to support your friend during this time is to be a source of non-judgemental support. By now, they’re likely already well aware of the fact that they made a mistake, and your bringing this up repeatedly will not make any difference moving forward.
Instead, let them know that you are there to listen whenever they’re ready to open up. Try (within reason) to remember that people make mistakes and that they do not always define who we are as a whole. In some cases, it could even be that they are facing the consequences of a mistake made years and years in the past before you even knew them.
Of course, it’s also within your right to take a step back from the relationship if they admit to something you find unforgivable – and you do not have to feel guilty for doing so.
Help them find a great lawyer
Unless you are a lawyer, the scope of advice and support you can offer to your friend directly is rather limited. For example, you’ll likely not know too much about differing plea deals or how your friend should present themself in court. However, you can help them during this time by helping them find a great lawyer.
When searching for a lawyer, try to find one who has worked on cases similar to your friends previously, as this means they’ll be able to offer more specialised advice. For example, if they are facing SA convictions or charges, you should reach out to a Sexual Offence Solicitor.
Protect your well-being, too
While showing up for someone this time is a testament to your good nature, it’s again important to remember that you need to take care of your well-being too. As such, you should make a real effort to take care of yourself during this time now, such as by practicing mindfulness, talking openly about how you are feeling, and ensuring that you get enough sleep.
After all, it will be hard to continue showing up for your friend if you do not show up for yourself, especially when you consider the fact that many legal troubles can span over several months (or even years).
Furthermore, as mentioned previously, it’s also important to remember that you’re allowed to walk away if you do not agree with how your friend has behaved. There’s nothing wrong with protecting your mental well-being during that time, even if that means making the difficult decision to end a friendship.
Hopefully, you have found some useful information that will come in handy if you have to support a friend or loved one through legal troubles.
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