The Dos And Don’ts When Placed Under Arrest

Being placed under arrest is extremely stressful. You will likely be scared and unsure of what to do while the police officer is questioning you. The actions you take during an arrest though, are extremely important, as they can either help or hurt your future criminal case. If you or someone you love has been arrested, below are some things you should do, and some you should not, while dealing with the police.

What You Should Do when Placed Under Arrest

The most important things to do when you are placed under arrest are as follows:

• Be polite: Being antagonistic towards the law enforcement officer will not help you during the arrest, or after. You do not necessarily have to follow all of their instructions, such as taking a field sobriety test, but you should be polite. Also provide your identification and other information the law enforcement asks for.
• Ask about the charges: You should always ask if you are being placed under arrest, even if it seems fairly obvious that you are. If the police officer says yes, ask why you are being arrested, but do not say anything else.
• Remain silent: You do have the right to remain silent and you should never answer any questions law enforcement asks you. Provide your name and other basic information, but do not talk about anything else.
• Take notes: Shortly after the arrest, take notes about the details of the arrest. Write down the names of the officers who arrested you, the names of anyone who questioned you, and their badge numbers.
• Seek medical treatment: If you were injured during the arrest, seek medical treatment as soon as possible and make sure to tell the doctor how you were hurt.

What You Should Not Do when Placed Under Arrest

Just as there are certain things you should do during an arrest, there are also some things you should not do. These are as follows:

• Resist arrest: Even if you think you have been wrongfully arrested, do not try to resist or flee. There will come a time when you and your criminal defense lawyer can fight back against it, but during the arrest is not it.
• Sign documents: Do not sign anything once you are at the police station until your lawyer arrives and has reviewed any documents given to you.
• Participate in a line-up: Police officers have been known to use illegal and coercive tactics during line-ups. Never agree to participate in one until your lawyer has arrived.

Call Our Criminal Defense Lawyer in Monroe After an Arrest

The most important thing you can do after an arrest is to call a Monroe criminal defense lawyer. At Whiddon Criminal Defense, our seasoned attorney can prepare a strong defense for your case and will always make sure your rights are upheld throughout the entire process. Call us today at 318-594-3592 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help you retain your freedom.