Steps to Take if You Have Accidentally Tampered with Evidence

Tampering with evidence is a crime if performed with the intention to falsify information or conceal information. If you inadvertently tampered with evidence, although this is in itself not considered a crime, your actions could impact the course of an investigation, causing catastrophic results.

If found guilty, you could be charged under state or federal law. Under Tennessee law, tampering with evidence is a class C felony, punishable by a $10,000 fine and three to 15 years in jail. If you are charged under federal law, you could be fined or sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison. This does not even account for the hardships you will face once your sentence is completed.

At Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, we know that evidence tampering allegations are accompanied by both immediate and collateral consequences. Knowing how to defend evidence tampering charges is best left to professionals. If you have been accused of tampering with evidence, our Nashville criminal defense lawyers are ready to help you avoid criminal prosecution.

Examples of Evidence Tampering

Evidence tampering is the act of altering, destroying, or changing evidence with the purpose of hindering a criminal investigation. Common examples may include:

• Destroying evidence: Wiping away fingerprints at a crime scene
• Concealing evidence: Ripping out a page from a financial statement
• Altering evidence: Using “white out” to change information
• Falsifying information: Fabricating evidence, such as planting a garment or other object at the scene of a crime

Steps to Take if Accused of Tampering with Evidence

Prove Your Lack of Intent

If you have been charged with evidence tampering, the prosecution must prove that you intended to alter, hide, or destroy evidence. The government must also show that you tampered with evidence, knowing that the fabrication or concealment of evidence would impact a current investigation. If you tamper with evidence accidentally, this is not a crime. For example, if you are unaware that your company is under investigation for money laundering and your boss asks you to shred financial statements, you may have done so unaware of the significance of destroying such documentation. In this scenario, you will not be charged with tampering with evidence.

If you are facing allegations of evidence tampering, it is important that you save any e-mails, texts, or communications that highlight your supervisor’s request. This information could help to reduce your liability, along with any other evidence demonstrating your lack of knowledge.

Contact a Nashville Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have mistakenly tampered with evidence, do not hesitate to contact a Nashville criminal defense attorney. By obtaining counsel, you will have a legal advocate who can gather the necessary information to show that your tampering was accidental. While the prosecution bears the burden of proving your intent, that does not mean that you can forgo building a convincing defense. When you work with our Nashville criminal defense attorneys, you are hiring experienced counsel to advocate for your rights. The key to fighting evidence tampering charges is demonstrating that you lacked knowledge of what you were doing, allowing you to retain your freedom.

Accused of Evidence Tampering? Speak with Our Nashville Criminal Defense Attorneys Today

Evidence tampering charges can tarnish your reputation, ruining your future plans. If you have been accused of tampering with evidence, our Nashville criminal defense lawyers are here to help you navigate the complex legal landscape. The moment you suspect you may be under investigation is the moment you should contact our team. To learn how we can be of assistance, contact Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, online or give us a call at 615-846-9889 to arrange your free consultation.