I’ve Been Arrested! Now What?
I’ve Been Arrested! Now What?
Remain Silent and Ask for a Lawyer
After an arrest, it may be tempting to try to talk your way out of the situation in which you find yourself. It’s important to remember that the police are not on your side in your situation; if you have been arrested, they believe that you have committed a crime. Anything you say is much more likely to hurt your case than help it, and the police are well-trained in interrogation techniques that are designed to trip you up into saying incriminating things.
The best way to protect your rights after an arrest is to ask for a lawyer immediately. Once you have explicitly asked for an attorney, the police must stop asking you questions immediately and cannot start again unless your lawyer is present or you initiate conversation.
Discuss Bail with Your Lawyer
If you have bail set, you will need to post a certain amount of money with the court in order to be released from jail while your case is pending. Too often, bail is set at an excessive amount, and defendants must wait behind bars for weeks or months during their case. Your criminal defense lawyer can argue for your bail to be lowered.
Even if you can afford your bail amount, you should discuss the matter with your attorney. While you do not want to spend one minute longer than necessary in jail, you also should not be required to post excessive bail.
Attending Court Hearings
If the prosecutor files charges against you, it is critical to attend all court dates. Your defense lawyer will appear with you and handle communications with the prosecutor, as well as present evidence in your defense to the court to try to get your charges dismissed. Ignoring a court summons will only result in additional criminal charges of failing to appear, as well as a warrant for your arrest, which will start the process all over again. With the right criminal defense firm in your corner, you can face your charges and obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
Speak with a Montgomery Criminal Defense Attorney Right Away
The Law Office of Richard F. (Matt) Matthews, Jr., represents clients following an arrest or the issuance of criminal charges. We stand up for your rights during every stage of your case, and we know how to navigate the criminal justice system to best defend against charges and prevent convictions whenever possible. Your defense starts right after your arrest, so the time to call Attorney Matt Matthews for help is now. Call 334-398-8408 or contact us online today.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure.
