Understand Your Rights: What To Do if You’re Arrested
Getting arrested and charged with a crime is an unsettling experience when it’s your first time with that type of police interaction. While you might fear being locked up in jail, keeping a cool head is the best thing you can do for yourself. Staying calm and acting rationally is easier when you know how to react during an arrest. This guide can prepare you for this situation so you won’t make matters worse.
Comply With the Arrest
If you’re stopped by the police or they show up at your home, it’s important to be respectful and comply with their orders. You will have a chance to dispute any charges they bring against you in court, but, at that moment, you must comply. This is due to the fact that the police don’t know what to expect from you. While they will respect your rights, they also have to protect themselves from potential threats. If you resist arrest or try to run, you face the risk of being injured by the police as they try to apprehend you. It’s safer for you and for them if you follow their orders and allow them to bring you back to the police station peacefully.
Be Sure to Remain Silent
If you have ever watched a police drama on television, you already know that you have the right to remain silent. Unfortunately, television shows don’t often show the reality of that situation. When you’re in custody or engaged in any conversation with the police, their goal is to get you talking. While they may speak in a conversational tone or talk about things unrelated to the charges, it’s important to remember that they do have an agenda. You should give them your name and show them your identification, but, beyond that, you should keep from saying anything without an attorney present.
Request an Attorney
As soon as you have been placed under arrest, you should request an attorney. Even if you don’t have the money to pay the attorney’s fees, ask for a public defender to ensure you’ll have the legal representation you need in a legal emergency. Whenever possible, you should hire your own attorney. Be sure to look for a lawyer with the type of experience you need. For example, if you have been charged with trying to sell narcotics, you’ll need a drug charges attorney. Hiring a lawyer with specialized experience will increase your chances for the best possible outcome in your case. Even if you can’t obtain an acquittal or dismissal, an experienced attorney may be able to help you get a reduced sentence.
Ask For Your Phone Call
Something television shows and movies do get right is that anyone arrested for a crime is entitled to make one phone call. Before you make the phone call, you should take the time to consider who you’ll call and what you’ll say during the call. This is important because the police cannot listen in on a phone call you have with an attorney. If you call anyone else, they can listen and record anything that’s said during the call. This conversation can be used against you in court. For that reason, most people choose to call their attorney. Your lawyer can deliver messages to your loved ones for you.
Arrange to Pay Your Bail
While you may be held without bail in some cases, a judge will grant bail in most criminal cases. Even though bail is often very high, reaching several thousands of dollars up to millions of dollars in rare cases, you can arrange to be released on bail by working with a bail bondsman. This is an important service because getting your temporary release will grant you the freedom you need to look for a good attorney and assist with your defense. It will also give you time to spend with your family and make arrangements for their financial future.
If you feel your rights have been violated, you shouldn’t try to resist or force the police to respect your rights. Instead, remember as many details as possible about the situation, including the officer’s name and badge number. When you’re able, you should write down those details and turn them over to your attorney. This is the best way to ensure you receive justice over the violation of your rights.