What to Do When You’re Arrested
A Conroe, TX criminal defense lawyer explains
A police officer pulls you over. Or maybe they show up at your home or your office. Suddenly, you’re under arrest. You’ve been charged with a crime. Now what? Knowing what to do next can be overwhelming. Even knowing what your rights are might not be clear. We want to help.
At The Webb Firm, P.C. in Conroe, Texas, our experienced criminal defense attorneys have handled a wide range of cases throughout Montgomery County. We know the law, we understand how the legal system works, and we have the case results to prove it.
What you should do after your arrest
Each case is different but in general, there are certain things you should often do in most circumstances when you have been charged with a crime.
- You have the right to remain silent – If you don’t want to say anything, you don’t have to. That’s your right. If the arresting officer asks you any questions, you legally do not have to respond to them.
- Keep your comments brief – If you do want to answer the police officer’s questions, keep your comments brief. Say “yes” or “no” and nothing else. If the officer asks your name, say your name and that’s it. The more you say, the more they can potentially use your words against you later in a court of law.
- Tell the officer if you are armed – If you are carrying a concealed weapon and have a concealed carry permit, tell the arresting officer right away. Failure to do so could startle and result in you being injured or shot.
- Keep your hands in plain view – It’s important for the arresting officer to know you are not armed and you are not a threat. This is especially true if you are armed and carrying a concealed weapon. Tell the officer right away. Then put your hands high in the air.
- Remain calm – Being arrested can be a traumatic experience. It’s natural for many of us to react to situations around us – to get upset or insist that you did nothing wrong. Simply remain calm, remain quiet, and be polite to the arresting officer.
- Write down the arresting officer’s full name and contact information – This is important information that can easily get lost in all the confusion. Also make a note of the exact time of your arrest if possible. Details matter.
- Ask the arresting officer for a copy of the arrest report – If the report is not ready right away, it’s critical that you have the officer’s contact information. What matters most is making sure you have a copy of your arrest report as soon as possible.
- Ask for a lawyer – The sooner you ask to speak to an attorney, the better. Asking for a lawyer isn’t admitting guilt. It’s being smart. The laws governing our society can be complicated. An experienced attorney knows the rules and how they should be applied.
- Review your arrest report – We can help you with this important step. Every detail matters in your arrest report. If there are any mistakes, such inconsistencies could be used to have your charges dropped or dismissed.
Know your rights. Contact us
Take your arrest seriously right from the start. Even if you know you didn’t do anything wrong, it’s important for authorities to realize you are taking them seriously. Don’t make fun of your charges, no matter how ridiculous they might seem. Don’t tease or taunt the police officer. Show respect. Get respect.
Most importantly, make sure you contact us right away and schedule a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer who puts your best interests first – attorney Amanda Webb. You have too much at stake to wait to talk to a lawyer.
