Have you ever been arrested?
The FBI gives the number of people arrested in 2019 to be slightly above 10 million. When you are arrested, you become disoriented and they cannot think straight.
Officers of the law are aware of this and they try to take advantage of the situation by trying to speak to them and get whatever information they can at this point.
You must ask for a lawyer.
Lawyers know how to navigate the system and get you all the help you need at the beginning.
Having a criminal record can close many doors for you.
Avoid it if you can. Here are the steps to take after you are arrested and charged with a crime.
Do Not Talk to The Police Officers of the law are trained to get information in a way that may seem that they are just being friendly. You may say something that will incriminate you.
To avoid this, remain silent when they are questioning you. No matter how threatening they may sound, or friendly.
Remember, whatever you say can be used against you in court.
Lawyer Up The right to an attorney is crucial and it is provided for in the fifth amendment. This is a request that cannot be denied. Do not be afraid that this will make you seem guilty after you have made the call and refuse to say anything until your lawyer arrives.
If you decide to talk to the police without a lawyer, it will not change how you will be treated.
However, it can lead to disastrous results that would have otherwise been avoided if a lawyer was present. If you are in Colorado, this Denver criminal attorney at Weedenlaw is of the opinion you should never decide to talk to the police without a lawyer. Remember, if you do not have a lawyer, the state will appoint one for you.
One of the benefits of having a lawyer is you may be able to reduce or eliminate bail. Bail can be eliminated if you agree to return to come to your court dates. Your attorney has to prove that you will not run away.
Do Not Agree to Searches Apart from the search for contraband and evidence that may have occurred during your arrest, do not agree to any other searches. Law enforcement may request to search your home or property. Do not agree with this.
They should get a warrant from the judge to conduct their search. You should also not agree to give samples of your DNA without consulting with your lawyer.
Do Not Take Any Tests Law enforcement officers may try to coerce you into taking tests such as chemical tests, sobriety tests, and polygraph tests. Do not agree to any of these without speaking to your lawyer first.
Your lawyer will inform you if your state has laws that pertain to this and the consequences that you are likely to get following your refusal.
An experienced attorney should be your first go-to person in case of an arrest. An attorney will help you know the right cause of action after an arrest, how your case might fare in court, and how to navigate the justice system. You are also more likely to have a good outcome out of our case.
Credit: Ameyaw Debrah