What Should I do After an Arrest?
Anyone can be arrested for being suspected of committing a criminal offense. If you have been arrested that does NOT mean you been convicted of a crime. It does not mean you will be convicted of a crime.
In our criminal justice system, you are presumed to be innocent. You will continue to be considered innocent unless and until you plea "guilty" in a situation that results in a final conviction, or if you are found "guilty" at trial by a judge or jury. It is Brandon Sims' job at The Sims Law Firm, PLLC to vigorously defend you against these charges and hold the Government to their burden of proving your guilt beyond ALL reasonable doubt.
It is important to know the initial steps that are taken after an arrest occurs, and we are committed to standing by your side every step of the way. We will do everything we can to protect the futures of our clients. As a former prosecutor, Brandon Sims, has an insider's perspective of the opposition—knowledge which he uses to build strong defenses on our client's behalf.
We truly care about the well-being of our clients, and want to make sure they are informed of the things they should and should not do after an arrest.
Your Right to Remain Silent
Always remember that you are entitled to your constitutional rights — you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. If you are currently under investigation, please speak with a defense attorney before giving a statement and ultimately incriminating yourself to law enforcement.
Do not say anything during or after an arrest, because anything you say can and will be used as evidence against you. Some law enforcement officers are notorious for promising that things will go better if you cooperate and answer their questions, however, do not feel pressured into doing so. This is almost always just a police tactic in an attempt to get you to confess to a crime or implicate yourself in a criminal matter.
After an arrest, you should expect the following to take place:
- Once you have asked to speak with a lawyer, you should not be questioned any further.
- After you have been arrested, the booking process comes next. Your fingerprints and mug shot will be taken at the police station or the county jail.
- You will then be placed into a holding cell, where you will have to wait until you are taken before a magistrate.
- The magistrate will formally notify you of your criminal charge(s) and constitutional rights.
- The magistrate or judge will then usually set a bond that will be based on the current charge(s) and your criminal history (if any).
- Upon posting bail, please contact my law office so we can immediately discuss the facts of your case, make formal requests for law enforcement to retain evidence, and start crafting your defense.