If you should find yourself being arrested and charged with a crime in Middlesex, it is important that you know which first steps you should take to handle the situation.
Never Resist Arrest
Firstly, you should never resist arrest, let alone try to use force to resist arrest.
In almost every case, even during wrongful or illegal arrests, you do not have the right to resist an arrest.
Furthermore, if you get angry and use force to resist the arrest, you could find yourself facing additional charges, such as battery of a police officer and resisting arrest.
Fight your innocence in court, not at the time of the arrest.
Allow Officers to Search You
When you are arrested, you will be searched. As with the above point, do not resist being searched, or you could find yourself facing fresh charges.
Police officers have the right to search you and seize any relevant evidence where appropriate, so let the officers do their job.
You will also be photographed and fingerprinted during an arrest, in order to prove the arrest has taken place. Do not resist that either.
Contact a Good Local Criminal Defense Lawyer
The next step is the most important. Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can help you understand your rights and defend you if your case goes to court.
You should never speak with police officers or anyone else, apart from giving personal details like your name and address, before you have a lawyer present.
Once you have experienced and skillful Middlesex county lawyers on the scene, they will perform an immediate assessment of the problem and give you invaluable advice on how to navigate the situation without getting yourself into further trouble.
The decisions you make immediately after a criminal arrest can change the course of your life, especially if you are facing a first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree felony. So, it is vital that you have a reputable lawyer to help advise you because the information you give police during your arrest can significantly impact the consequences of the criminal charges.
Consider Your Obligations and Come Up with an Effective Plan
Once you know how to proceed with things like answering the questions that police officers ask, you can move on to addressing other pressing matters that are indirectly related to your arrest and criminal charge.
Immediate problems you need to consider and address include family obligations, financial obligations, and work obligations.
If you care for children or others, you need to come up with a plan to fulfill your commitments while the case is going on. And if you are sitting in jail until you are bailed, you will need to ensure someone like your spouse, a family member, or a trusted friend is able to look after your kids or other dependents.
When you are arrested and charged with a crime, you will need to find money to cover unexpected expenses, such as lawyer fees and costs associated with going to court. So, spend some time coming up with an effective plan to meet your financial obligations.
You will also need to address your work obligations. You should contact your place of work and come up with a contingency plan if you are not able to attend work while your case is going on.
Final Thoughts
Try to keep a clear head when you are arrested and charged with a crime in Middlesex. It will be much easier to handle the situation when you remember to remain calm and follow the above advice.
But if you can only remember one piece of advice, make sure it is: hire an experienced lawyer.
Having the right attorney on board could make the difference between freedom and serving time in prison.
