What to Do After an Arrest | O'Keeffe O'Brien Lyson Attorneys

What to Do After an Arrest

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Getting arrested can be a frightening experience for anyone. Not only can you be taken into custody and handcuffed on the spot, but you might be uncertain about what the future holds. Most concerningly, you might not know what to say or do to best protect your rights in a potential criminal case. 

How you conduct yourself in the hours following an arrest can have a substantial impact on your criminal case and your future in general. The following are only some steps you might want to take if you find yourself in this situation.

Cooperate with Officers

Getting arrested can feel threatening, and many people react with force to try to prevent the officers from handcuffing them or putting them in the police car. You should avoid using any type of force or resistance, even if you believe the police are in the wrong. Using force will only result in additional criminal charges and possible penalties. If the arrest truly was unlawful, your criminal defense lawyer can use this as a strong defense against your charges, but you should not try to take matters into your own hands during the arrest process.

Limit What You Say

As part of the booking process, police officers will ask for your name and other basic information. While you should provide this information when asked, you should avoid answering any questions regarding the suspected offense or non-identifying information. 

In fact, the officer should inform you of your Miranda rights, which include the right to remain silent. Many people believe that invoking this right will make them appear guilty, but invoking your rights cannot be used against you in criminal court. On the other hand, answering an officer’s questions can result in unintentionally saying something incriminating, which is possible even if you did not commit the crime. It is always wise to tell the police that you invoke your right to remain silent and politely decline to answer any further questions.

Call a Criminal Defense Attorney in Fargo

Another aspect of Miranda rights is the right to be represented by an attorney. You can invoke this right while you are in custody, and you should be able to contact a criminal defense lawyer right away. A lawyer can immediately help with police communications, addressing bail issues, and more. Then, your lawyer can get to work building the strongest defense against your charges.

Discuss Your Case with a Fargo Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Arrests are stressful, but it is often only the beginning of a long process through the criminal justice system. You want to minimize the effects of a criminal charge on your life, so you want the help of an experienced defense lawyer. Contact our experienced criminal defense attorney Tatum O’Brien by email, or call O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys at 701-235-8000 or toll-free at 877-235-8002 right away.