4 Essential Steps You Should be Taking After an Arrest

Getting arrested can lead to frustration, confusion, and fear. And that can be even worse when it’s your first time getting arrested. Whatever you do or say after your arrest could have severe repercussions and many people end up making crucial mistakes that might affect their sentencing. In this article, we’re going to give you some of the crucial steps you should take during and following an arrest.

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Stay Calm

The most important thing you have to remember is to stay calm during your arrest. Even if you feel like you’ve been wrongfully accused, try to refrain from resisting at all times. This is not a time to panic, so try to be as respectful as you can so that you don’t add further charges to your case.

Assert Your Rights

Right at the moment when you’ve been arrested, you should ask to speak to an attorney. As an American citizen, you have the right to representation, so make sure you assert it. This will not only give you access to legal advice, but it will ensure that you don’t get interrogated without being represented.

You should also make sure that you assert your right to remain silent as well. Even if you are 100% sure about being innocent, the prosecution will and can use whatever they can against you. Even some minor details that you may think are benign might come back to hurt you, so make sure that you don’t talk unless your lawyer is present.

And while asserting your rights, make sure that you remain respectful to the officer. Being belligerent could only aggravate the situation. So, make sure that you stay polite and avoid confrontation at all costs.

Try Your Best to Remember the Facts of Your Arrest

During your arrest, try your best to remember everything that happens the best that you can. Try to remember where you were exactly when you were originally pulled up. Also try to remember what the officers said during, before and after your arrest and if your Miranda rights were read to you. Remember what you said during the interaction or anything that stood out during the exchange.

As soon as you can, make sure that you put everything in writing to make sure that you don’t forget anything. Make sure to right down everything in as much detail as you can. Only your attorney will be able to tell what’s relevant and what isn’t and how to use the account for your defense.

Prepare for Your Defense

Before you go to court, make sure that you know every deadline pertaining to your case. You should also make sure that you are aware of what the potential penalties are for the crime(s) you’re being charged for. Make sure that you follow your attorney’s advice at all times, as only they will be able to give you the instructions on how to prepare for a successful day in court.

You should also be ready to participate in your defense actively. Whether it’s testifying or simply preparing mentally for the long months ahead, you have to be ready to do everything in your power to make sure you get a favorable result.

All these steps will be crucial if you want to get a fair trial and sentencing and avoid aggravating your case. Knowing what to do could make a huge difference between going free or an unfair sentence.