How Can I Avoid Being Arrested For A Criminal Charge?
Some attorneys will state the obvious: to avoid being arrested, don’t do anything illegal. The problem is that many people who haven’t done anything illegal still get arrested on suspicion of committing a crime. And even if you have done something unlawful, it doesn’t necessarily mean that arrest and jail time are inevitable.
Avoiding an arrest will look different depending on the details of your situation. For instance, if you’ve been stopped by an officer who suspects you of DUI, remember that the more information you provide to the officer, the greater the likelihood of being arrested. Officers actively look for reasons to make arrests, so saying something as innocent as “I only had a beer with dinner” could be enough for the officer to conduct a DUI arrest. Talking too much is one of the easiest and most common paths to self-incrimination. Exercise your right to remain silent until you have a lawyer.
It’s also essential to treat officers respectfully. Having a belligerent attitude, cursing, or undermining the authority of an officer can significantly increase your chances of being arrested and can actually lead to a separate criminal charge.
Some people are arrested for being suspected of committing a crime outside the presence of law enforcement. For example, if an officer testifies in court that they have reason to believe that you were involved in a drug deal, the judge might issue a warrant for your arrest.
If you are concerned about a potential arrest warrant, it would be wise to contact a criminal defense law firm that can quickly confirm whether there is or isn’t one. More importantly, a criminal defense lawyer can help you prepare for the bail process before you’ve even been arrested. You might be advised to turn yourself in before the arrest warrant is executed; this can increase your chances of being released without having to pay bail or paying a significantly lower amount because you cooperated with law enforcement.
In some cases, an arrest will be inevitable. But what you do in the time leading up to that arrest can completely change the trajectory of your case, for better or worse.
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