(Newswire.net — March 14, 2018) — Getting arrested is not an experience that anyone wants to have, and it can be extremely disorienting. Despite how stressful it can be though, one thing that many people fail to keep in mind is that their actions from that point could lead things to turn out much better or much worse.
So, even though there are many variables from case to case, here are a few tips that will generally reduce the likelihood of the situation getting worse:
- Keep Your Cool – From the point when the arrest occurs, the police will be keeping a close eye on you to see if they can spot any strange behavior. They will report any actions that seem out of place or as a result of nervousness, and those could even form evidence against you down the line. To avoid that, do your best to remain as calm as possible. It’s also important to remain as courteous and polite as you can throughout. Your attitude and comments will likely be shared with the prosecutor and could have a bearing on how your prosecution is handled.
- Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent – The Miranda rights that will be read to you are not mere formalities. They are very important and could be the difference between the prosecution not having enough evidence and them being able to use your own words against you. Whether or not you are innocent is also irrelevant, since the policemen are unlikely to be convinced of that based on your protestations. They’ll just chalk it up to the usual denials they hear from people they arrest, so it serves no purpose either way.
- Request a Lawyer Immediately – This is the only exception to the second rule. You might have to wait a while for your attorney to arrive, but by specifically requesting a lawyer, you prevent the police from attempting to interrogate you until your lawyer is around. Many people make the mistake of thinking they can answer seemingly innocuous questions, but without an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense attorney to guide you, your answers to those questions can become the foundation of the case against you.
- Refuse to be Searched, If Asked – Depending on where you are arrested and the surrounding circumstances, the police might ask for your consent to search your home or vehicle. This does not apply to whatever is on your person if you are brought to jail. If you are unsure if something incriminating may be found, you should definitely exercise your 4th Amendment right and refuse. Even if you’re sure there isn’t anything, it’s always better to wait until you can talk it over with your lawyer before deciding.
On the whole, the most important thing to remember is that even though you have been arrested and it feels like everything is out of your control, your actions can still play a crucial role in the outcome of the situation. Follow the tips above and you can make sure that even if you can’t make things better, you at least don’t make them worse.