Don’t Incriminate Yourself
One of the first things to do if you’ve been arrested is remain silent and not incriminate yourself. Get acquainted with what to do if you are arrested in the future and it may spare you some headaches.
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the Bill of Rights and deals with various aspects of criminal procedure. It requires that people accused of crimes against the United States have rights not to incriminate themselves.
A person can not be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” (U.S. Const., Amend V) The basic idea behind the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination is that justice should prevail, and innocent people should not have to suffer for crimes they did not commit. The Supreme Court has interpreted the Fifth Amendment several times and, over time, it has shaped what we know to be due process in trials.
The Fifth Amendment protects a person from being forced to be a witness against himself (by providing that no “person” can be compelled to give evidence against him or herself). For example, if police have probable cause to arrest someone, they can make a citizen, like a store owner or an employee, come into the police station and answer questions. Anything that person says will be used against him or her in court. The Supreme Court has said that this is not a violation of the Fifth Amendment because the person who is being questioned is acting voluntarily, as he could choose not to speak with police.
However, if you are arrested a police officer cannot make you say anything that could be used against you in court. The Supreme Court has said that the Fifth Amendment protects your decision to remain silent. If an officer tries to force you to speak, he or she must first obtain a “properly issued” warrant from a judge or magistrate. This is called a “Miranda warning.” A Miranda warning is an attempt to protect the individual’s Fifth Amendment rights by making sure that police do not get information from suspects who have been arrested and are in custody.
If you think about it, it makes sense that people should be able to remain silent when they are arrested. Should you choose to do this, you now have the knowledge to back up your actions.
Secure Legal Representation
Hiring an attorney is an important decision. This should be one of the first things to do if you’ve been arrested. Here are a few things to consider before hiring an attorney:
– The attorney should be licensed to practice law in your state.
– Consider how much experience the attorney has. Have they had experience on cases like yours?
– What is the fee schedule and how does it compare with other attorneys?
– What are the location and contact information of the law firm? – Does the lawyer offer any free consultation sessions?
– What are the terms of payment?
– What do other criminal lawyers say about them?
If you have an attorney who promises results, find out what those results are and make sure they’re realistic.
While it’s important to be optimistic, avoid unrealistic expectations that can lead to disappointment if the case doesn’t turn out how you want or need.
The factors that can affect the outcome of a case are many. For example, sometimes cases can be won or lost before they even start because a judge might not like the facts you present to him/her.
– What is your relationship like with your attorney? Are you comfortable talking to them about questions and concerns that come up in relation to your case?
– Are you comfortable with your attorney’s communication style?
Communication is an important part of any relationship, and that includes the legal profession. Your lawyer can represent you and help in your criminal case, but if they’re not communicating with you effectively or efficiently it could mean worse results for you. If this does happen, it’s a good idea to share your concerns with them, again keeping the lines of open communication open.
– Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Having an attorney is about going into the unknown and having someone who you can trust to help you through it. With that in mind, it’s important to know about every aspect of your case so that you’re as informed as possible.
If you have questions about your case, or about anything related to the law, feel free to ask them at any point in the process and during any stage of your relationship with your attorney.
Post Bail Bond
Getting out of jail quickly is a goal of most people that land there. By posting a bail bond at one of our locations like Los Angeles County Bail Bonds office, you can get out as fast as possible. Posting a bail bond to get out of jail should also be one of the first few things to do if you’ve been arrested for a crime.
Abba Bail Bonds is available to post your bail bond in all 58 counties in California. Contact us at (877) 330-5557 or visit a local office today.
You should be prepared to pay as much as 10% of your court ordered bond amount or setup a payment plan. Usually a payment plan will require as little as 1% bail bonds amount to secure your release.
Spend Time With Your Family
When you have been arrested, the future is uncertain whether you will go to prison for a length of time. Another of the things to do if you’ve been arrested is to spend more time with your family and loved ones.
Spending time with family is important for many reasons. One reason is that it creates a sense of belonging. It also enables you to reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while. This can lead to memories that make the moment even more special. Being around family members, it’s easier to share feelings and emotions. You feel like you belong, and you can act normally without putting on a show.
You may have heard about the importance of family time because your parents or grandparents talk about it often. Some adults may say that they wish they had spent more time with their loved ones when they were younger and then it’s too late to change anything. Today, it’s important for you to find time to spend with your family. Why? Because if you don’t make the effort, then you’ll regret it later on when it is too late.