You might be accused of a serious crime.

You might be the defendant in a mere civil case.

You might simply be struggling with legal disputes within your family, such as arguing over an estate or custody rights.

In any case, you’re facing legal issues, and you’re probably dealing with more stress than you imagined.

It’s important to stay calm in these situations so you can continue making rational decisions, but how exactly are you supposed to do it?

6 Ways to Stay Calm in the Face of Legal Issues:

1. Hire the Best Lawyer You Can Find

There’s a reason why most rational people do not attempt to represent themselves in a court of law.

That’s because the law is very complicated, and legal procedures can be tricky to navigate. 

Instead, it’s in your best interest to delegate most of your responsibilities to a lawyer, who will serve as your representative from beginning to end.

You can immediately reduce the stress you feel by hiring the best lawyer you can find.

Once you’re in good hands, you can rest assured that your legal matter is being handled by someone who has your best interests at heart and has the knowledge and experience necessary to get you the best possible results.

If you’re facing a criminal accusation, it’s even more important to find adequate legal representation.

A good criminal defense lawyer can build a robust defense for you while simultaneously protecting your rights if you’re being interrogated or are under arrest.

In a best case scenario, they can help you go free.

And in a worst case scenario, they can help you negotiate for a much better plea bargain. 

In any case, having a good lawyer will all but guarantee that you’ll end up in a much better position.

2. Take Total Inventory of Your Situation

Next, try to fully understand your situation.

Much of our stress and anxiety comes from uncertainty, so the more you can pin down specifics, the less stressed you’re going to be.

The charges and complaint.

What exactly is the legal issue at hand?

Depending on your circumstances, this may be a simple or challenging question to answer.

You may also have many charges or complaints pending against you.

The evidence.

You should also understand the evidence for and against you.

Are there any photos or videos documenting what happened?

Do you have any alibis or natural defenses?

Can you provide any materials that show your side of the story?

This can help you determine where you stand in the legal matter.

The consequences.

The consequences you face depend on a number of factors, including what you’re accused of, the strength of the evidence, the strengths of your counsel and the opposing counsel, and, unfortunately, even the whims of a judge or jury.

If you’re found guilty, or if a judge rules against you, what is the worst case scenario?

This probably isn’t a pleasant thought, but it can help you wrap your head around the possibilities for the final outcome.

3. Stay Quiet

It’s in your best interest to stay quiet for the duration of your pending legal issue.

That means not talking to the police unless advised to do so by your lawyer, but it also means avoiding discussions of the legal issue with anyone other than your closest friends and family members. 

It’s often tempting to vent about your situation or proclaim your innocence on social media, but dwelling on the issue isn’t going to reduce your stress and could make legal matters even more complicated for you.

When in doubt, trust your lawyer’s advice on this matter.

4. Mitigate Reputational Issues

That said, there are some steps you can take to mitigate reputational issues that could flow from your legal issues.

Consider talking to your employer and other important parties in your life to explain what’s going on in plain, simple terms.

You can also talk to your lawyer about ways to preserve your reputation during this time.

5. Find Ways to Cope With Stress

There are countless ways to cope with and minimize stress, from physical exercise to mindfulness meditation.

It’s important to experiment with many different methods so you can find what works for you to calm your mind during these uncertain times.

6. Take Things One Day at a Time

Legal issues can take a long time to resolve, especially if they’re complicated.

It will likely be months, and possibly years before you reach a full resolution.

Accordingly, you should focus on one day at a time, don’t worry about pending obligations or consequences if you don’t even know that they’re going to happen.

Many of us will go through life without ever facing a significant legal issue.

But if you find yourself in these unfortunate circumstances, it’s imperative for you to keep a steady mind.