WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M ARRESTED?

ARREST:The police can arrest you when they believe they have probable cause to charge you with a crime or there is a warrant for your arrest.

When you are placed under arrest, the police must inform you of your constitutional rights. This includes, amongst other things, that you have the right to remain silent and that you have the right to an attorney. When you are arrested you should be given an opportunity to contact a lawyer or anyone else you want to let know what has happened to you.

Remember: Anything you say can and WILL be used against you in Court.

REMAIN SILENT!

The only thing you should say is: "I want a lawyer." Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

DO NOT Answer Any Police Questions; except for your name and address.

DO NOT Write Out A Statement.

DO NOT Volunteer Any Comments like: "I only had two beers."

DO NOT Lie.

BOOKING PROCESS:

Once you have been arrested and charged with a crime; you will be booked. At that time you will be

finger printed; your name and the crime that you have been charged with will be entered into the official police record; your personal belongings will be taken from you; they will be inventoried and you will be asked to sign the inventory list.

Depending upon the charge and the circumstances of your case, you may be released on your own recognizance (PR bond) and ordered to appear for your hearing in court. Often, you will be required to post a certain amount of money/bail in order to be released. Other times, you may remain in jail until there is a court hearing and a setting of bail by the judge. Bail is used by the court as an "insurance policy" that you will appear on future court dates. If you do not have the full amount of the bond, you can call a **bail bonds company to assist in getting you out of jail.

If you are brought before a judge, you may request time to get an attorney. The Judge then sets a court date for you and your attorney to appear.

**The Walker Law Firm, P.C. makes no representations of any kind regarding the bail bond companies retrieved by this search-link.