What Not to Do if You Are Arrested

Nobody wants to get arrested, but sometimes it happens. Maybe you knew what you were doing was against the law, but you did it anyway. Perhaps you were arrested for no apparent reason.

In any case, if you are ever arrested, you need to know the protocol. Not only do you need to know what to do, but also what not to do. If you say or do the wrong thing, you could make your situation worse. Here are some things you should avoid doing if you are stopped by police or arrested.

Don’t Say a Word

You have the right to remain silent, so use it. Don’t feel the need to defend yourself or cuss out the police officer. You may think you’re innocent, but the police officer doesn’t. You’ll just make the situation worse, so save your words for your lawyer.

Don’t Run

People tend to run when they know they’re guilty. Also, police officers tend to think that guilty people have drugs or weapons in their possession, so don’t make them think that way. Plus, running is evading arrest, which is a crime. So stay put.

Don’t Resist Arrest

Don’t think you can get away from police because you won’t. If you try to resist arrest, you could get tased or even shot. Some people die while trying to flee police. Plus, touching a police officer is a felony, so you’ll make your situation worse. If you want a better outcome, just follow directions and keep your hands to yourself.

Don’t Let Police Search You

Police do not have the right to search you without your consent. They can pat you down if they suspect you are hiding a weapon, but that’s it. They can’t even come inside your home without a search warrant. Even if you have nothing to hide, don’t allow them to do so. If they do search you, any evidence they find can be thrown out later. So just say no.

Don’t Handle Your Situation Alone

You have the right to ask for a lawyer, even if you can’t afford one, so take advantage of this. While you are generally instructed not to talk to a police officer, do ask for a lawyer and keep it at that. Do not explain why or answer any questions. Your lawyer can guide you through the next steps. You are likely unfamiliar with the process, especially if you have never been arrested before, so get a lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t try to handle this on your own. 

Get Legal Help for Your Florida Criminal Defense Case 

While you may want to explain yourself after an arrest, doing so may make matters worse. It’s best to stay quiet and hire a lawyer as soon as possible.

The Tampa criminal defense attorneys at The Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group can help you understand your legal rights in such a situation. We can also help you build a strong defense. Call 813-242-4404 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.

Resource:

aclu.org/know-your-rights/stopped-by-police/

https://megajustice.com/were-you-arrested-for-dui-in-tampa-you-have-ten-days-to-take-action/