Legal trouble can be an incredibly difficult thing for someone to experience. Not only do you have to deal with procedures you may be unfamiliar with, but you’ll also have to deal with the ramifications of not knowing your rights in a given situation. Legal trouble can affect the whole family, so it’s a good idea to stay informed when dealing with legal procedures. This article will explain the usual process that takes place after an arrest.
Arrest
The initial arrest is when you are first taken into custody. Generally, you’ll be handcuffed and put in the back of a police car. This is generally where you’ll be read your Miranda Rights. It’s important to listen closely to those rights as they are stated to you. Remain silent when asked questions until a lawyer is present to protect against self-incrimination. Never fight with the police or officers, or you risk much more difficulty down the line. Remain calm, and cooperate so that you have a better chance of pleading your case.
Booking
After someone is arrested, the common procedure is to take them into custody and start the booking process. Booking usually involves taking your fingerprints, photographs, and a series of basic questions about your identity like your name and address. Sometimes the booking process may also involve a handwriting sample, but this should only be done after speaking with your lawyer. After you’ve been booked and put in the system, this is the time in which you would seek advice from a bail bond agent PA as well as call your family and friends to make arrangements.
Arraignment
After you’ve been booked and put into jail, the next step in the process is your arraignment or court hearing. In the United States, every state has laws that state that the defendant must have their arraignment within two to three days of the initial arrest. During the hearing, you will get a judge that will explain the crime and charges, as well as the possibility to obtain bail. This is also where you will learn the bail amounts and how much you would be expected to pay if you want to be released on bail.
Legal trouble is an incredibly difficult thing for most people to deal with. Knowing your rights and being familiar with the process is incredibly important to keeping yourself safe and free from jail time. Patience and cooperation are rewarded during this process.
