There are many things you can do once you have been arrested that will ensure that your rights are not violated. Some of the things you should do include:

• Remain silent – you do not have to answer any questions the police ask you and anything you say can be used against you in court. REALLY – SHUT UP!
• Be polite and respectful towards the police officer(s)
• Remain calm
• Contact your attorney (281-448-0000) or ask for one. Again don’t say ANYTHING until you have spoken to your attorney and your attorney is present
• Try to remember the badge numbers of any officers you are involved with, as well as their patrol car number(s)
• Make sure your attorney is present for any questioning
• Make sure your attorney is present for any lineups or testing (such as drawing a blood sample)
• Let your attorney deal with the police and any prosecutors, especially if they offer you some kind of deal or inform you that you should take a polygraph (“lie detector test”)
• If you are injured, be sure to take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible and get medical attention
• Try to find witnesses and get their contact information (name, phone number)

WHAT NOT TO DO:

If you are arrested, many things that you do can have negative effects on the outcome of your case. To ensure that your rights are protected:

• Do not say anything about the incident to the police. Again – SHUT UP!
• Do not mouth off to the police or do anything to get out on their bad side.
• Do not attempt to run from the police-you will likely be caught, further charges may be brought against you, and  it will not look good in court.
• Do not say anything about the incident to anyone besides your lawyer (this includes cellmates if you are in jail, parents, spouses, siblings, girlfriends, and boyfriends.
• Do not give the police permission to search anything.
• Do not resist arrest , even if you are innocent, resisting arrest can lead to increased and/or further charges. In particular, do not touch the officers in any way.
• Do not believe the things the police tell you in order to get you to talk -the police are allowed to lie to you and often times will tell you “it will be easier on you if you just tell the truth.”  Your confession will only make it easier for the police to prove their case.
• If the police come to your home, do not let them in unless they have a warrant and do not go outside. It may be that they need an arrest warrant to arrest you in your home and if you go outside, you may be arrested without a warrant.
• If the police arrest you outside your home, do not allow any officer to go into your home to get clothes, talk to your wife, etc.  If you accept, the police will escort you into your home and begin to search it without a warrant. The same applies to your car.

Please note that these are general guidelines and should not be construed as legal advice nor a substitute for legal advice.  If you have been arrested or even suspect you are under investigation, contact a Criminal Defense Attorney at Randolph & Almonte, PLLC today to discuss your criminal case.