There’s no way around it—being arrested is a stressful event. Even if you are confident that the arresting officer has misjudged or misunderstood the situation, you still need to cooperate. While it’s common to assume that your arrest will automatically indicate your guilt, remember that you will have the opportunity to defend yourself against these criminal charges. Whether law enforcement officers have arrested you for an incident relating to drugs, firearms, or other alleged criminal activity in Los Angeles County, here are three essential steps you should take to ensure your rights remain protected.
1. Cooperate Instead of Fighting Back
When people are placed under arrest, they often feel threatened and scared. You may experience a strong urge to run away or even fight back against the arresting officer, but these instincts will only lead to more trouble. If you flee the scene or use force against a law enforcement official, you may face additional criminal charges that often carry significant penalties like jail time, steep fines, and more. Remember, you will have the opportunity to defend yourself later on. Cooperate with the arrest and trust that you’ll have your time to fight back in court.
2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
One of the biggest mistakes people make when the police arrest them is to try to explain themselves. While it seems logical to justify your actions or clarify the situation in some way, anything you say can (and usually will) be used to build a case against you. Cooperate with the police by telling them your name, birth date, or other identifying information, but don’t speak any more than you must. Police officers may try to coax you into incriminating yourself by gently inviting you to “tell your side of the story” or “shed some light on what happened,” so remain strong and keep quiet until you can speak to your attorney.
3. Contact an Experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Right Away
As soon as you can, reach out to a trusted criminal defense attorney to discuss your situation. Your attorney can answer your immediate questions and help you understand what to expect from the days, weeks, and months ahead. Many people find that talking to their attorney right away relieves much of their stress and helps them feel less alone during this intimidating process. Together, you and your attorney will determine the best course of action to help you obtain the best possible outcome given the circumstances of your case.
If you or a loved one is currently facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County, call the experienced legal team at Wegman & Levin today at (818) 980-4000 to arrange a free consultation with a dedicated criminal defense attorney.
