What to Do if You are Arrested

Being arrested can be one of the scariest and most intimidating experiences of someone’s life. If you do find yourself in a situation where you are arrested, there are a few pointers that are important to keep in mind.

First, please remember that you do not have to tell the police ANYTHING. A police officer will often try to act friendly or sympathetic towards you when they are actually attempting to gather evidence against you. You have an absolute right to not say a single word to a police officer – in fact, the only thing you should tell a police officer who is arresting you is that you would like to speak with an attorney. Once you invoke your right to counsel, the police are not allowed to question you.

Second, do not try to argue with the police officer. Only on very rare occasions is a citizen able to change an officer’s mind about an arrest; typically, once an officer makes up their mind to conduct an arrest, they are going to do that without caring about what you have to say. Arguing with the officer about the reasons for your arrest can only lead to inflaming or antagonizing the officer, which is the last thing you want to do in a situation like this.

Last, do NOT discuss any aspects or details of your case over the jailhouse phone. Every phone call to and from an inmate in jail is recorded, and that recording can be used against you at a later date. It is important to make sure all conversations from the jail are about things not at all related to your criminal case.

If you or someone you know is arrested, it is vital to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Doing so can have a huge impact on the potential end result of the criminal case, very often for the better.

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Chris Wilson

Family Law & Criminal Law Attorney at Harris Guidi Rosner, P.A.

Chris has been a Family Law and Criminal Law attorney since 2001. He is an attorney with the Jacksonville Law Firm of Harris Guidi Rosner, P.A.
A graduate of the University of Florida for his B.A. And Law degree, Chris is an avid Florida Gator fan, as well as Pearl Jam, Nascar and Golf.
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