Getting arrested for a high-profile crime is always going to be a very stressful experience, and you could accidentally hurt your case without even realizing it if you aren’t careful. Even if you are completely innocent, a single mistake or slip-up could end up negatively impacting your life for many years to come.
Understand Your Miranda Rights
When a suspect is officially arrested and taken into custody, an officer must clearly state the Miranda Warnings. The primary purpose of those warnings is to prevent the suspects from incriminating themselves, and it is almost always a good idea to not say anything at all to the officers or anyone else in the area. Talking your way out of the situation is going to be nearly impossible once you have been arrested for a high-profile crime.
Find a Good Lawyer Immediately
After an officer has given the Miranda Warnings, you can decline to speak until you have hired an attorney. For high-profile crimes, you must hire an attorney who has experience dealing with the specific crimes that you are being accused of. Criminal defense attorneys are ready to tackle complex legal battles, and they could end up helping you build a solid case that keeps you out of prison.
Always Ask for Warrants
Whenever an officer asks to search your car or look through your phone, you need to ask for a warrant. If they don’t find proof of the crime that you were initially accused of, they might still keep searching until they can find some other type of incriminating evidence. That is why it is almost always preferable to refuse those searches until a warrant has been produced.
Don’t Accept a Huge Bail Amount
Many people don’t realize that they don’t have to accept an outrageous bail amount without a fight. When the bail is excessive, you can file an official plea to have it lowered. Your attorney can help you come up with a good reason for the plea so that it has a better chance of being accepted. Once the bail amount has been brought down to an acceptable level, you can then pay it on your own or contact a bail bond company.
While it is always a good idea to know your rights, you must follow all of the direct and legal orders given to you by the law enforcement officers. Physically disobeying direct orders could complicate your case and potentially result in more charges.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
