Steps to Take After an Arrest
Being arrested can be a very worrisome experience, as encounters with police are rarely anticipated and generally not the most pleasant experiences. If you have been arrested, this means that the police believe that they have a sufficient level of probable cause that you committed a criminal offense. For this reason, arrests are commonly followed by criminal charges.
Following are some key steps to follow after you have been arrested, but keep in mind that connecting with a Texas criminal defense attorney as soon as possible will best ensure that your rights are protected, and the case is handled with justice. The Law Office of Brent D. Bowen is here to help today.
Exercise Your Miranda Rights If You Have Been Arrested
If your freedom is being denied, the police must read you your Miranda Rights. The term “Miranda warning” is named after the Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona, and it refers to the requirement under the constitution that once you are arrested, police officers must inform you of certain rights. These include your right to remain silent, the right to consult with an attorney and have one present during your questioning, and that you have the right to be appointed an attorney if you cannot afford one.
While appointed attorneys can do the job, they often have an extremely heavy caseload, and a private criminal defense attorney can provide your case the focus it needs to come out as well as possible.
Maintain Your Silence, Respect the Police, and Request Your Attorney Immediately
You have the right to remain silent, and it is beneficial to do so. Even if you are innocent and think you can prove that innocence to police officers, it is possible that you will say something that officers will find incriminating and use to charge you.
In response to the first question by the police, state that you would like to invoke your rights and have an attorney present during questioning. At this point, the police cannot ask you any further questions, nor can your silence be used against you in court as a sign of your guilt.
Key steps to remember after you’ve been arrested are:
- Ask for an attorney before you answer any questions
- Be respectful and do not resist arrest
- Do not make statements to the police without your lawyer present
Reach out to a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Today for Help on Your Charge
When you are arrested, the police must inform you of your rights, and you are free to exercise the full bundle of rights afforded to you by the United States Constitution. A criminal defense attorney knows how the law is applied and how the criminal justice system works. Contacting and hiring a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible following your arrest will support the best outcome in your case.
The Law Office of Brent D. Bowen is here to help, contact us now to schedule an appointment.
