Being arrested in Frisco can be an overwhelming and frightening experience, especially if it is your first involvement with the criminal justice system. Nobody plans on being arrested, but it is important to be prepared because what you do immediately after your arrest can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Below are some helpful tips on what to do after being arrested in Frisco, Texas.
Understand Your Rights
Every person arrested in Frisco has rights under the U.S. Constitution. Probably the most important to understand is your right to remain silent. The police are almost always going to ask you questions when they arrest you. When this happens, you should calmly and clearly state that you will not answer any questions until your attorney is present. In a high-stress situation, it is easy to mistakenly interpret officer questions as demands.
It is critical to remember that law enforcement needs your consent. The only information you should provide to Frisco police officers is basic identifying information, like your name. You are not required to answer any other questions. The less you say, the better.
Anything you say can be used against you in court. It is very easy to incriminate yourself accidentally if you start talking. You must resist the very natural urge to defend yourself, even if you think you are innocent. Later on, there will be a time to defend yourself with the help of an attorney.
It is important to be aware that the Frisco police may use various tactics to entice you to talk. They are even allowed to lie to you. An officer might lie and tell you that your friend confessed or that you will be able to go home immediately if you tell them everything. Do not trust them! If you are under arrest, it means that they already think you did something wrong.
Call for Help
When you are arrested in Frisco, you will be allowed to make a phone call to your attorney, family, and a bail bondsman. The police are allowed to finish their booking procedures before you are permitted to use the telephone.
Your primary goal with the phone call is to get out of jail. In most cases, you will need to post bail. Bail is the way that the court system ensures that you will show up for your court date. Different types of bonds a judge can order include a cash bond, surety bond, and a PR bond. You do not need an attorney to post bond, but an attorney can help you reduce the bail amount and navigate the bail system.
Calls to family and friends can be recorded and used against you as evidence, so you should refrain from talking about the circumstances surrounding your arrest. Frisco law enforcement cannot listen to your phone call with your attorney.
Get a Frisco Criminal Defense Attorney
The sooner you get an attorney, the better. You should look to hire a local Frisco criminal defense attorney with a track record of success. Some people make the mistake of waiting until their first court date rolls around to hire an attorney, but there are many reasons to get a professional involved with your case as early as possible.
First, the legal system can be confusing, and an attorney can help guide you through the process and answer all your questions. Additionally, your attorney can negotiate bail, appear at the arraignment, help you decide whether to plead guilty, negotiate a plea deal, and counsel you on interactions with police. Immediately after you retain an attorney, they can start gathering evidence and preparing your defense. An attorney’s work early on could even result in having your charges dropped.
Stay Out of Trouble
While you are out on bail, you should take care to stay out of trouble and not break any laws. In Frisco, your first court date could be weeks or even months after the police first arrested you. If you don’t show up to court dates and follow all offense-specific requirements, such as no-contact orders, you will face additional penalties.
Your Frisco Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or a loved one have been arrested in Frisco, you should reach out to an experienced Frisco criminal defense attorney. Philip D. Ray is a knowledgeable Frisco attorney who will guide you through the process and ensure that your rights are protected. Call Philip D. Ray today to schedule a consultation at (469) 588-6770.