What Should I Do If I'm Arrested?

Facing an arrest can be a stressful, scary experience. Worse, it is easy to make a mistake that can impact your criminal case. Taking the right steps from the time of your arrest to the final verdict is critical.

If you are unsure what to do if you are arrested, reach out to the criminal defense attorneys at van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin. Our legal team has decades of experience and a track record of success we are prepared to put to use for your case. If you are facing a rest, be sure to take the following steps to protect your rights and ensure you have the best chance possible for a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

What You Need to Know about Arrest Warrants and Traffic Stops

When facing an arrest, there are typically two situations where this can happen: a judge issued an arrest warrant, or you were arrested because the police believed you were committing a crime. Unfortunately, both of these situations can be sudden, scary, and embarrassing. You may be arrested at your home, your workplace, or during a traffic stop.

When an arrest warrant is issued, you may already be aware of it. In these cases, you can arrange for a more discreet arrest. When this happens, you can reach out to an attorney, who can communicate with the police about your arrest. Your attorney can also prepare you before you enter the police station, where you can simply turn yourself in and avoid a potentially public arrest.

However, there are situations where you cannot avoid a public arrest. In these cases, be sure that you do not resist arrest. That can lead to further criminal charges and can hurt your ability to leave the police station sooner. Rather than arguing with we're fighting back against the police, you can take the following steps.

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

First, keep in mind that the police will first ask you questions at the scene. You are not legally obligated to tell them anything except for basic identifying information, like your name. Your Miranda Rights, or the right to remain silent, allow this.

This is because anything you say can and will be used against you in court. For example, if you say something that may be incriminating, that can be used as evidence to prove you committed the crime you are accused of. Unfortunately, many people say things under duress that may be suspicious.

Rather than speaking to the police, you can simply say that you would like to wait for your lawyer. Your attorney can speak directly to the police and act as a mediator between you. That can help prevent you from saying something that worsens your chances of getting your charges reduced or dismissed.

Complete the Booking Process

Once you are arrested, you will be taken to the station for booking. The booking process includes gathering your personal information for their system, such as fingerprints, and completing the paperwork and documents for your arrest record. This will also be the point where you receive your court date.

Once the booking process is complete, you may be allowed to leave on bail. A bail bond is essentially a promise that you will return on your court date by leaving a bail bond that you will lose if you do not appear in court. The amount of your bail bond will depend on the details of your case, But for violent crimes or cases where they believe you will flee if released, bail may not be offered.

Let Your Lawyer Speak for You

Once you have arrived at the police station, you can continue to remain silent until your attorney arrives. Keep in mind that you are not obligated to provide any information that is not on your driver's license or otherwise may identify you as a resident of the state. Once your attorney arrives, you have the opportunity to speak with them confidentially about your case.

Your attorney can then speak with the police about the specifics of your case. That can give them a better idea of what the police believe happened, what you were being charged with, and how severe the charges are. For example, your charges may be much more serious if you are facing charges with aggravating factors that may worsen the penalties for your case.

Build a Powerful Defense with Your Lawyer

Once you have been released, you have a limited time to prepare for court. During this time, you will need to build your defense with an attorney. That includes gathering evidence, choosing the right defense for your case, and preparing for your day in court.

The best defense for your case depends on the details of that case. For example, you may have been charged with assault, but your actions were done in self-defense. In other cases, you may have been arrested on drug possession charges, but you may have evidence that you were a victim of entrapment. Your attorney can listen to your side of the story, gather evidence that supports it, and prepare a strong defense for your case.

Seek out a Criminal Defense Lawyer

When your future is on the line, and you've been accused of a serious criminal offense, you need the strongest defense possible for your case. That is where our team of attorneys at van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin come in. With over 175 years of combined legal experience, you can expect a high-quality defense and strong legal representation in the courtroom. That is vital as part of your arrest process.

If you are unsure what to do after an arrest, taking these steps is a good start. From here, you can let your attorney handle the details and protect your future. Whether you have already been arrested or you are expecting an arrest, you can reach out to an attorney to learn more about your options for your defense case. To learn more about our services, reach out by calling or filling out our online contact form.