Keeping on the right side of the law is not always the most helpful advice. It won’t always help you avoid arrest, depending on what kind of circumstances you get caught up in. Whatever precedes it, if you’re placed under arrest, or have a warrant out for your arrest, how you handle the situation can greatly affect the legal proceedings that follow it. Here, we’re going to look at a few tips to handle things wisely and, above all, safely.
The right to remain silent
There are two very important rights that you should keep in mind during any arrest. The first is your right to silence. Note, this doesn’t mean that you should say absolutely nothing when stopped by the police. Inform them, politely, that you are exercising your right to remain silent.
The police may attempt to convince you into talking, but it’s very easy to say something that will later prove incriminating in court, especially if you’re innocent and even if the details of what you say seem unimportant. The same goes for any inmates. Avoid talking to anyone but your lawyers.
Stay calm, courteous, and complaint
Being stopped by the police, and especially arrested, can be a very tense experience, and a very stressful one. It may be difficult, but exercise your effort to remain calm and to avoid assisting arrest. Even if the arrest itself proves unlawful later, resisting arrest is a crime and can make things worse for you, even temporarily.
What’s more, resisting arrest usually leads to an escalation of force on the side of the officers, which can end up leaving you with serious injuries if you’re not careful.
Get legal assistance
The second of the all-important rights you should know is your right to an attorney. When you tell the police that you want to exercise your right to silence, tell them, at the same time, you want to talk to a lawyer.
You should not communicate with the police without the assistance of teams like Barone Defense Firm. Not only can they make sure that you do not accidentally incriminate yourself, but they can start looking at your legal strategies, whether it’s arguing it out in court or looking at the nature of the arrest to see if it can be thrown out.
Know about your right to privacy
Complying with the officer’s directives, in a lot of cases, is the wisest move. This is true if they ask you to stop and hand over your license and registration, for instance, or if they inform you that you are under arrest and have to leave your home or car.
The police do not have the right to search your home or car unless they have a warrant or unless they have probable cause. If they say they have either, it’s best to acquiesce, but you don’t have to let them simply because they ask.
Remember, the police have a lot of power, and the monopoly on state violence, during an arrest. Be careful, exercise calm judgment, and know your rights.