as a lawyer what do you do if you're arrested

Whether you were arrested for a minor criminal violation (e.g., state law possession of marijuana) or a serious felony (e.g., federal terrorism charges), a lawyer will help you negotiate with prosecutors, represent you in court, and ensure you receive a fair trial.

Full Answer

What should you do if you get arrested?

Grow Your Practice What Should You Do if You Get Arrested? If you have been arrested by the police, there are many things you should do. For example, you should generally remain calm and silent and get an attorney who can advise you of your rights and help you with complicated criminal laws and the legal system.

Do I need a lawyer if I’ve been arrested?

I’ve Been Arrested, Do I Need a Lawyer? What are Some of the Things I Should Do If I’ve Been Arrested? There are many things you can and should do once you have been arrested. These will help ensure that your legal rights are not violated. Some of the things you should do if arrested include: Remain silent.

How do I get a criminal defense lawyer?

You should call an attorney from jail or request a public defender when you appear before the judge. Figure out if you need a criminal defense lawyer. If you have been arrested for allegedly committing a crime, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

How do I find a lawyer outside of jail?

Ask your friends or family to call a lawyer. It is probably easier for your friends or family outside jail to find a lawyer on your behalf. They can make an unlimited number of calls and ask the attorney questions. If you trust the person you call, have them contact an attorney for you.

What to do if you are arrested?

If you are arrested or learn you are under investigation, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.

How to comply with lawful arrest?

Compliance with a lawful arrest is important. Try to stay calm, remain quiet, and follow the orders given by the arresting officer. Do not resist arrest, or you could face additional charges like assaulting a police officer. Do not engage in any activity, verbal or physical, which could be construed as threatening, insulting, ...

What to remember when you are arrested?

Remember the details of your arrest as clearly as possible, particularly if the arresting officer (s) are engaging in acts that you believe to be misconduct of any sort. Relaying these details to your attorney may be valuable to your case.

Do you have the right to a lawyer if you are arrested?

Your Right to a Defense Attorney. If you’ve been arrested, you do have the right to an attorney, even if you can’t afford to pay for one. Should you be facing charges without the ability to pay for personal legal counsel, the court will appoint a public defender to your case.

Can you escape police custody?

You should never try to escape from police custody.

Is it better to speak to an attorney?

It is better to only speak with your attorney and only answer questions when your attorney is present. Your attorney will be able to instruct you when to answer and what the consequences might be if you choose to speak.

Do police officers have Miranda rights?

Additionally, a police officer should provide you with your Miranda rights. Your Miranda rights are not just a formality, but rather an important part of your arrest. The next time you speak should be to your attorney, whether it is a public defender or an attorney you hire yourself.

What are the rights of a person who is arrested?

Every person who is arrested and questioned by police must be informed of their legal rights to remain silent and be assisted by an attorney (known as " Miranda r ights" after the Supreme Court decision of the same name). Usually, a police officer will say something along the lines of, "You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney and if you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for you. If you waive these rights and talk to us, anything you say may be used against you in court. Do you understand these rights?" Some police departments will ask a person to sign a written Miranda waiver before talking. It is almost never a good idea to waive your Miranda rights.

What happens after you are arrested?

If you are arrested, you will be searched – either at the scene or at jail, or both – and any contraband or evidence will be seized. You will be photographed and fingerprinted and there will be a record of the arrest.

What is an Arrest?

A person is arrested when a police officer takes that person into custody. An officer takes someone into custody whenever the person is not free to leave. Although many people who are arrested are taken to jail, the arrest often begins much earlier. For example, if a person is stopped on suspicion of robbery and questioned and is not free to terminate the questioning, then the person is under arrest.

What happens if you are arrested without probable cause?

And that person can end up with serious injuries. If you are arrested without probable cause, fight in court, not on the street.

What is probable cause in criminal justice?

the officer has probable cause (reason to believe) that the person has committed a felony (any crime punishable by state prison), or. a judge or magistrate has issued an arrest warrant, supported by probable cause. For more information, see Arrests and Probable Cause.

What does a police officer say?

Usually, a police officer will say something along the lines of, "You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney and if you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for you. If you waive these rights and talk to us, anything you say may be used against you in court.

How to remain silent after arrest?

People often say, "I don't want to talk" and then they start talking, say something incriminating, and it gets used against them in court. You can tell police your name and basic information, such as your address and birth date, but do not tell them anything else. After your arrest, do not talk to police officers, do not talk to family or friends about your case, and do not talk to other inmates.

Howard Woodley Bailey

Assuming your lawyer has been arrested and is still in custody, I suggest you contact his office immediately to see if he or his office has designated an attorney to act in his place. If the lawyer has been arrested and released, you need to speak with him, as suggested by my collegues who have responded to this question.

Ronald Anthony Sarno

I suggest you call the NJ Client Protection Fund at 609-292-8008 to see if he can still practice law, and if he cannot who has been designated to take his cases.

Jonathan H Levy

If he was arrested for a matter unrelated to your case and has not been convicted, it might have not have an effect on your situation. However, at the very least the attorney owes you an explanation as to whether his arrest will effect your case or not.

What happens if you are arrested?

If you are arrested, you will be handcuffed, and except in unusual circumstances, you will first be taken to the Precinct#N#Precinct#N#A district of a city or town defined for police purposes. May also refer to a police station.#N#in which the arrest occurred for initial processing. At the precinct, a police officer will interview you and ask for “pedigree” information, including your name, address, date of birth, Social Security#N#Social Security#N#A federal program that provides income, health insurance, and other benefits.#N#number, etc. Once you have been fingerprinted you will be taken to Central Booking#N#Central Booking#N#A facility that offers temporary stay to offenders prior to their arraignment#N#and processed for arraignment, which is an appearance before a judge.

How to prepare for release without bail?

To prepare the application for your release without bail, the lawyer may ask you to provide more information concerning your “community ties.”. The attorney may need to contact a friend or family member in order to verify the information, and may also want to have them appear for you at the arraignment, if possible.

What do police officers take in custody?

At the precinct, a police officer will search you and take personal property, such as house keys, backpacks, purses, medication, large sums of money, or valuable jewelry, as well as any unlawful items you happen to have in your possession ( Contraband#N#Contraband#N#Any property that it is illegal to produce or possess.#N#). Items other than contraband are held for safekeeping while you are in custody. You will be given a “Voucher” form listing your property, so that you can retrieve it later. However, if an officer is processing a large number of arrests at one time, your Voucher form is not ready before you are taken to a cell or another location. If this happens, ask the officer for the “Voucher number” that will be used for your property, and also write down the officer’s name and shield number. Having this information will make it easier for you to retrieve your property once you are released.

Where are attorney client interviews held?

Attorney-client interviews are usually held in interview booths attached to the holding cell outside the courtroom (the attorney will call your name out shortly before your case is to be called in court).

Can you be arrested at home?

If you know in advance that you might be arrested (for example, you are planning to engage in civil disobedience during a demonstration, or voluntarily appear at a precinct at the request of the police), or are arrested at your home, you can prepare for arrest. Leave most personal property at home, but do take two forms of identification with you.

Who evaluates arrested persons work histories and family ties?

During the waiting period, you may also be interviewed by someone from the Criminal Justice Agency, an independent agency that evaluates arrested persons’ work histories and family ties, in order to recommend to the court whether they can be trusted to return to court without bail, or whether bail should be set.

Is it hard to predict when someone is arrested?

Arrests occur in many different situations, so it is difficult to predict the exact circumstances that someone who is arrested will encounter. Our guide provides general information about arrest processing in New York City, and what to expect in most cases if you are arrested.

What to do if you are arrested for a crime?

Figure out if you need a criminal defense lawyer. If you have been arrested for allegedly committing a crime, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Whether you were arrested for a minor criminal violation (e.g., state law possession of marijuana) or a serious felony (e.g., federal terrorism charges), a lawyer will help you negotiate with prosecutors, represent you in court, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Even if you do not end up hiring an attorney to represent you, they can still help you understand the charges against you.

What to do after being arrested?

A qualified criminal defense attorney will help you arrange bail, advise you about your case, and start building your defense. Generally, if you face the possibility of time in jail for your conviction, then you have the right to an attorney.

What to do if you can't reach someone in jail?

If you can’t reach anyone on the first call, ask the guard if you can make another call. Generally, they will let you make as many calls as you need to arrange an attorney so long as you have been behaving yourself after getting arrested. Each jail has a different policy.

How to talk to a lawyer in jail?

Ask to make a phone call. Once you are booked, you should tell a jail guard that you want to talk to your attorney. You need to be explicit. Say, “I want to talk to a lawyer. Can I make a phone call?”

How to find a criminal defense attorney?

Depending on what you have been charged with, you may be able to find an attorney who works solely on your type of case. This specialization can be an incredible advantage for you as these attorneys will have a wealth of experience dealing with the particulars of your type of case. To find a specialist you can look through attorney websites and other resources. Additionally, some states offer specialization designations for attorneys who show competence in a particular area of the law.

What to do when you trust someone on the phone?

If you trust the person you call, have them contact an attorney for you. Say nothing else to your friends or family. For example, don’t start talking about the crime. Often, the police record the conversations people have using the phone.

How to determine if you are being charged with a state or federal crime?

To determine whether you are being charged with a state or federal crime, ask for clarification. Additionally, if you have paperwork with information about your charges on it, look at that. If the legal citation is to the United States Code (e.g., U.S.C.), you are being charged with a federal crime.

What Is An Arrest?

Do Not Use Force

After The Arrest

Invoke Your Rights

Call For Help

• In most states, you are entitled to a phone call to your family, a bail bondsman, and an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, a public defender will be provided for you. You should memorize the numbers of a few people to call in case you are arrested. Police will probably not let you use your cell phone to make calls. Again, assume that any ...

See more on criminaldefenselawyer.com

Obtaining Legal Assistance