What Should I Do If I Was Arrested for a Crime?

Getting arrested, especially for the first time, can be a stressful and frustrating situation for anyone. Any seemingly minor negative action or behavior can seriously impact what could happen to you next. This is why you should understand and take the appropriate steps to make sure you avoid getting into more trouble with the law. You should and can do many things once you’ve been arrested to protect your legal rights. These include:

• Stay silent. You are not legally obligated to answer questions connected to the arrest. Remember that anything you say to them can be misconstrued and used against you.
• Try to stay calm. Be polite to the police. While it’s the duty of the police to de-escalate the situation, never assume that they’ll act in a manner that ensures your safety or that they’ll respect your legal rights. You can help ensure that your rights are safeguarded by remaining calm and not showing hostility to the police. Unfortunately, there have been many situations in which alleged offenders have behaved appropriately and done everything possible to be respectful, yet still ended up getting hurt or killed.
• If you can, take a mental note of all the badge numbers and patrol car numbers of the police you interact with.
• Call a Ventura criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. You have the legal right to call one. Don’t just call anyone because the police can’t listen to phone conversations with your lawyer, but they can listen to conversations with anyone else. Do not say anything until your lawyer arrives. Ensure that your lawyer is with you during any discussions or questioning. Make sure that your lawyer is also present for any testing procedures, like drawing blood samples, or for lineups.
• Let your lawyer deal with the prosecutors and officers if they try to offer you a plea bargain or some type of deal that will supposedly lead to a less serious charge or help you avoid trial. Only your lawyer can determine whether or not a plea bargain will benefit you.
• Keep in mind that the police are legally required to follow specific rules and procedures when making an arrest. If you have experienced violence at the hands of the police, get medical attention as soon as you can, and take photos of your injuries. Check if there were witnesses and talk to them, if possible.
• Lay low until your court date. Don’t violate any laws or get yourself into situations that could negatively affect the outcome of the charges you’re facing.

Taking these steps can help ensure that you do not jeopardize your case and avoid potential disputes or conflicts with the police.

Consult With a Seasoned Ventura Criminal Defense Lawyer Now

Reach out to the Ventura criminal defense lawyer at Bamieh & De Smeth right away if you or a loved one has been arrested to secure the most favorable outcome for your case. Call our office at 805-643-5555 or send us a message online to schedule your free consultation.