Getting arrested can be a harrowing experience, but it doesn’t need to impact your life for decades to come. With a little bit of hard work and some patience, you might be able to avoid a myriad of fines and penalties. Here is a quick look at a few steps that you need to take as soon as you are arrested by a law enforcement officer.
Remain Silent
Many people don’t realize that they aren’t legally required to answer most questions that an officer will ask. That being said, you should never run away or physically resist. If they commit a crime while searching or detaining you, then your case is going to be much easier. Once you are at the station or cell, you must immediately ask for a legal representative. In many states, the only information that you must give a police officer before your lawyer arrives is your name.
Contact an Attorney
Even if you are completely innocent, you could accidentally incriminate yourself if you try to answer questions without an attorney present. That is just one of the reasons why you need to ask for a lawyer as soon as you are officially arrested. Once you have spoken with your attorney, you can then decide the best course of action. Depending on the severity of the crime, the attorney might suggest posting bail so that you can resume working or taking care of your family.
Contact a Bail Bond Company
Working with a bail bond company could end up saving you quite a bit of time and money. Trying to withdraw huge sums of money from your bank or a retirement amount could potentially take days. A bail bond company might be able to transfer the money in a matter of minutes, and you are going to be out before you know it. Although most bail bonds only require a small upfront fee, be sure you ask plenty of questions and know what you’re getting into before agreeing to anything.
Don’t Speak with Anyone about the Charges
It might be tempting to vent to a loved one, but that information could be used against you at a later time. For serious charges, the plaintiff will generally try to contact anyone who might be able to help them build a case. That includes family members, close friends, coworkers, and old acquaintances. They will also scour your social media accounts for any information that could be useful, and that is why you should immediately make those accounts private or delete them entirely.
Throughout this process, you must listen to any advice that your lawyer gives you. A single mistake or mishap could destroy your case or lead to a guilty verdict. Make sure you know your rights and make smart decisions when moving forward after an arrest.
This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, and family issues. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. You can find Dixie on Facebook.
