Dealing with the fear of jail

Going to jail, whether for a matter of days or for many years, is a scary prospect for anyone. Jail limits your basic freedoms as a person, and it can incite panic in many people when they contemplate not being able to live a free life.

Those who already have a fear of jail can become extremely anxious when they get into trouble with the law, even for a minor offense. Facing criminal charges should never be taken lightly, and you should take action to put in place a criminal defense strategy. If you have been accused of a crime and you are extremely fearful of jail, the following are some ways to deal with your situation.

Recognize your fear

Those who suffer from the extreme fear of jail may have been in jail before and had traumatic experiences. A phobia of jail is known as carcerophobia. A person suffering from carcerophobia may become anxious when they watch movies that feature jails or when they feel trapped in an enclosed space. Recognizing your fear, and understanding the physical symptoms, such as anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hot flushes and ringing in your ears, can help you to be aware of what is going on in your body when you are exposed to jail-related topics.

Recognize unhealthy thought patterns

Those with a phobia or fear may engage in all-or-nothing thinking. For example, they may be worried about accidentally committing a petty crime in case they get sent to jail. Try to gain some perspective on your situation and you’ll see that you have many options.

Take action

Instead of worrying about the possibility of jail, prioritize taking action. By starting to build your defense strategy now, you’ll have the best possible chance of avoiding jail time and clearing your name.

If you are able to successfully defend yourself against the crime you are accused of, you’ll never need to worry about jail time. Make sure that you take early action to defend yourself.