It’s one thing to watch someone get arrested in a movie or television show, and a completely different situation in reality. While you may think you can talk your way out of an arrest, there are some serious mistakes you can make during this time that could lead you to spending the night in a jail cell. The most important thing to do as soon as you get arrested is to speak with a lawyer who will advise you of your rights. A lawyer will also provide you with some valuable advice on what not to say or do. Here are some of the worst things to do when you are arrested, how to avoid getting yourself deeper into trouble, and how a bail bonds agent can help you.
Don’t Run
It is very important that when you are being arrested that you follow the officer’s instructions, and do not run. If you do, you could still be caught and may face additional charges. Additionally, if your case goes to trial, the government may get a special jury instruction known as “consciousness of guilt,” which essentially argues that “guilty people run, innocent people don’t.” Running from an arrest may also lead the police officer to believe that you may have a weapon, and they may be quick to draw theirs.
Never Resist Arrest
Like running away, you should never resist an arrest. Do not touch the police officer at all and follow what they say to do. You should focus on fighting the case, not the officer, because you will lose. Countless times, people who are arrested swat the officer’s hands away or bump them to avoid getting handcuffed, but these actions fall under the assault statutes. Your minor misdemeanor arrest can become a felony.
Do Not Allow the Police to Search Anywhere
It’s true that you must follow the officer’s orders, but you have to remember your rights as well. Do not allow the officer to search anywhere. They need your consent, and if you refuse it, they will need to honor that. Be clear in your statement and ensure that any witnesses hear you say, “You do not have consent to search.” If the police still perform a search, the evidence they may find could be discarded. The problem with consenting to a search, even if you are not guilty, is that the officers could find something you had no idea someone else placed there, i.e., a friend’s marijuana stash.
If the Police Come to Your Home, Do Not Let Them in and Do Not Step Outside Your Home
If the police are confident that you have committed a felony, they generally won’t need an arrest warrant and can enter your home. Make it clear to them that they may not come in, or that you are comfortable speaking in your home, while they stand outside. Tell them that they need a search warrant to enter your home. The police officers may leave and return with a warrant, but when they do, your attorney can arrange for you to turn yourself in, if that is the best plan of action, and you will not need to spend any time in jail between your hearings.
Do Not Talk Back to the Police
If you’ve been wrongly arrested or the true culprit is standing beside you, it can be tempting to fire off in anger and express your frustration. However, there is a fine line you must be careful not to cross. You should never talk back to the police or use any offensive verbal language in direction to them. Police have the authority to add charges, change a misdemeanor to a felony, and can even talk directly to the prosecutor that will fight against your case in court! Be very careful when you say, and keep your cool as best as possible.
Don’t Try to Convince the Officer of Your Innocence
It is useless to try to convince the officer of your innocence. In most cases, the officer does not decide whether you are guilty or not—their job is simply to take you to jail. If you talk too much in attempts to prove your innocence, you may say something that could hurt your case, or cause you to be proven guilty. Wait until you get to the jail and call your lawyer for advice on how to proceed.
How a Bail Bondsman Can Help
If you’ve been arrested, don’t try to resolve the situation on your own. As you can see from these tips to follow when getting arrested, you may make a terrible mistake that hurts your chances in court. Contacting a lawyer and a bail bondsman as quickly as possible is your best solution to get out of jail and hopefully have your penalty reduced or dismissed completely. PCS Bail Bonds can help you if you need to post bail. We provide 24-hour bail bonds for all kinds of charges including theft, drug possession, embezzlement, traffic violations, assault, and more. We are the right team to work with because we offer 10% lower bond fees than our competitors.
We have professional memberships in several renowned associations including the Professional Bondsmen of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Association, and Professional Bondsmen of Tarrant County. We serve clients in Fort Worth, Texas, and other municipalities in Tarrant County. We process our clients’ requests quickly and efficiently. Our bond agents are always on call and we can be down to the jail in under 30 minutes.
Contact us now by phone at 817-335-1655, at our e-mail, visit in-person, or fill out our bail bond request form. You’ll be confident that you’re working with experts who are dedicated to helping you.