When you’ve been in an accident or pulled over or detained by police, it is never a good situation. The last thing you want to do is to let the emotions of that environment control your actions and to make things worse. To protect against that, here are three things that you should avoid doing after being detained or arrested:
1. Don’t talk
It is natural to try and talk your way out of trouble, explain to the officer that they have the wrong person, or explain why things aren’t as they seem. AVOIDING TALKING TO POLICE! Much more often than not, people who try to explain the situation away end up talking themselves into more trouble, or saying things that are used against them later. Don’t put yourself in that position! Also, don’t believe the police. They can and may lie to you to make you think that you can help yourself by talking. They are trying to build a case against you! Don’t fall into the trap.
2. Don’t resist or fight back
No matter how unlawful or unreasonable the arrest may seem, don’t resist or fight. Go with the police peacefully and without restraint, and allow your Springfield MO criminal defense attorney to fight for you in the courtroom. Resisting will make you appear worse in Court, and will allow the police to use more physical force against you. It will only get you in more trouble!
3. Don’t consent to a search of your vehicle
Police can only search your vehicle under certain well defined legal circumstances. A consent search is the most common. If your vehicle is searched illegally and without consent, your attorney can file a motion to suppress and get illegally obtained evidence thrown out of court. Whatever the circumstance, avoid consenting to a search. Assert your Constitutional rights. You never know what the police may find or claim to find. Don’t give them that opportunity. Protect yourself first, and that alone will give your attorney ammunition to protect you in court.
The first thing that you SHOULD DO after an arrest is to immediately contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you follow the above advice, your attorney will be in a better to protect your Constitutional rights, and you give yourself a fighting chance.
