Rarely does someone “prepare” to get arrested. Most of the time, people aren’t exactly in the best frame of mind when detained by a law enforcement officer. That said, folks end up making grave mistakes during and immediately after their arrests, which can be very detrimental to their cases. Keep reading as we explain the top five mistakes to avoid when arrested.
- Resisting arrest – Being arrested is undoubtedly stressful and upsetting. Chances are that a million things are running through your mind. However, there’s no excuse for resisting arrest. Go quietly and peacefully with police. It’s never a good idea to run, hide, struggle, give a false name, or otherwise delay and/or obstruct the process. Keep in mind that you may face additional charges for resisting arrest.
- Forgetting your right to remain silent – Remember the Miranda Rights? Well, you do not have to be read them in order to exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent under police questioning. Should you be asked anything besides your name in the course of your arrest, be sure to calmly tell the officer that you are invoking your right to remain silent. Don’t forget that what you say can and will be used against you during the trial.
- Admitting to a crime – Any sort of admission of guilt will hurt your case down the road. Maybe you were arrested in the act of committing a crime. It could be, also, that police have strong evidence against you. Neither case matters, though. Being honest may be the admirable thing to do. But you won’t gain an advantage by confessing.
- Not contacting a lawyer immediately – From posting bail to getting in touch with loved ones, there is plenty to do after getting arrested. One of your top priorities should also be to get in touch with an experienced defense attorney. He or she will work to ensure that your rights are protected under police questions. One more thing here: You don’t need to wait to see what you are charged with. Every offense deserves the attention of a seasoned defense lawyer.
- Being dishonest with your lawyer – If you’ve been arrested for the first time, you may feel a bit uneasy speaking with criminal defense lawyers. Rest assured that you can trust them with the whole truth about your circumstances. By no means will a criminal law attorney run to the police because of what you say to them. It’s important to know that even the smallest of details will help them come up with the strongest possible defense. So the more honest you are with your criminal law attorney, the better.
A DEFENSE ATTORNEY YOU CAN TRUST
At the law firm of Cavett, Abbott & Weiss, our defense attorney understands the emotional toll brought on by getting arrested. But by no means are you alone. With more than six decades of combined experience, you can find peace of mind when contacting our Chattanooga criminal defense lawyer.
Whether you’re in need of a federal criminal lawyer who specializes in criminal defense or civil litigation, we can help. Schedule a consultation today.