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What You Should Do if Arrested

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    When not in trial, criminal defense attorneys spend much of their time trying to mitigate the damage done by a client during their arrest. I frequently see criminal suspects carelessly try to explain their side of the story and unknowingly shoot themselves in the foot.

    What should a person do if they are accused of a crime? I’ve modified the list below from the American Bar Association:

    1. Try to remember witness names. Find out their phone numbers, addresses, and other contact information. If you can’t remember their names, try to remember someone’s name who may know them. For example, if you know they are the bouncer at the bar, find out from another person their name and contact information.
    2. Remain silent. Remain Silent. Period. The only thing you can accomplish by talking about your arrest is to hurt your case. You have no obligation to speak with the police. The police may try to trick you and will sound like they are your buddies. Do not speak with the police or anyone else. Ask to speak with a criminal defense attorney.
    3. Be polite and respectful towards the police but be firm, do not speak.
    4. Contact your attorney or ask for one immediately. If the police insist on speaking with you, reaffirm your desire to speak with your criminal defense attorney.
    5. Try to remember the badge numbers of any officers you are involved with, as well as their patrol car number(s) and which police agency they are from. Many times there are multiple police agencies responding to a call. For example, there is a difference between the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the Avon Police Department.
    6. Make sure that your attorney is present for any lineups or testing. Demand that your attorney be present. However, you should do a chemical test for a DUI if requested by a police officer.
    7. If you are injured, be sure to take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible and get medical attention at once. Make sure to go into detail with the medical staff about the type of injury and cause of injury, including names.

     

    If you have any questions, please contact Ryan or Georgina at 970-236-1246. For information about our billing rates and retainers for criminal cases, please click here.

    (This post originally appeared on Kalamaya Law.)