Nobody wants to be in a situation where they’re being arrested. Not only is it terrifying, but run-ins with the law can also be bad for your criminal record. However, life is quite unpredictable, and even if you know you’re not doing anything illegal, you may sometimes end up having to defend yourself before the law.
That’s why whether you’re a law-abiding citizen or you often find yourself in tricky situations, it pays to know your rights. Before trial, where you’ll be given a chance to defend yourself, police officers would most likely arrest you first. If you don’t want to spend your time in jail, you need to read this article to know how to handle an arrest situation.
What Does it Mean to Be Arrested?
Before we dive into detail on what you need to do, let’s first understand what it means to be arrested. An arrest means a police officer wants to take you into custody for further legal procedures. There are only three valid reasons for a police officer to arrest you.
The first is that the police officer has seen you commit a crime. Secondly, if a police officer has reason to believe that you have committed a crime punishable by state prison even if he/she has not seen you do the crime, you may be arrested. Lastly, a police officer can arrest you if a judge has issued an arrest warrant on you.
Even before the act of arrest itself, you may be detained if a police officer is questioning you for suspicion of a crime. However, you need to know that without probable cause, you cannot be detained and, therefore, free to leave. If an officer is unable to provide a reason to detain you, you can file a complaint.
What to Do and Not to Do
If you are being arrested, there are some things you can do to abide by the law. However, there are also a few mistakes you might commit that can worsen your situation. That being said, here are a few rh2inders on handling an arrest.
Avoid the Use of Force
We understand that an arrest situation may be quite overwhelming for you. However, you need to rh2ain calm. Do not, under any circumstances, use force on a police officer while you’re being arrested. Even if you feel like you’re being arrested for the wrong reasons, using force or fighting a police officer might end up in criminal charges. If you’re wrongfully arrested, bring the fight to the court and not on the street.
Do Not Resist the Search
When you’re arrested, a police officer will search through your belongings. Sometimes, this happens at the scene, but you might be searched once you’re in jail on some occasions. Any contraband such as drugs, paraphernalia, or weapons will be seized and used as evidence. Ensure that you don’t resist the search because you might still face criminal charges if you do so. You will also be informed of your fifth amendment rights by an officer reciting the Miranda warning.
Invoke Your Rights
Once the arrest is made, rh2ain calm and make good use of the Miranda rights. Do not say a word except for
“I invoke my right to rh2ain silent.”
Keep in mind that anything you say before the police can be used to put you to jail, and if you’re not well-versed about the law, it’s better to leave it to your lawyer. Don’t forget that the police are trained to interrogate and gather information from people. Do not be intimidated and wait for a lawyer to speak for you.
Look for Help
In almost every part of the country, a suspect is given the right to a phone call. If you’re arrested, you can exercise this right to inform your family about what happened. On the other hand, you can also contact a bail bond company to help your case. Bail refers to the sum of money you need to pay for your criminal charges to obtain th2porary freedom before you appear in court, and bail bonds companies help you with that. If you have to call someone from the police station, it’s best to assume that the phone call is being recorded.
Seek Legal Assistance
Probably the best piece of advice we could give you is to not talk your way out of jail. Always rh2ind yourself that the more you talk to the police, the higher the chances you will say something to incriminate yourself. Instead of doing it yourself, it’s better to seek legal assistance. If you don’t know any attorney, the Miranda rights perfectly state that the government will provide one for you.