Police questioning and arrests are nerve-racking experiences for most people, and they can be even more stressful if you aren’t sure what your rights are or what you should do to avoid hurting your case. There are many misconceptions floating around when it comes to arrests, and people often say or do things inadvertently that go against their best interests. The police who are questioning you are likely trying to compile evidence or statements that may be used to incriminate you, so it’s important that you are very careful about what you say or do. Avoid some common mistakes if you are arrested to better ensure that you have the best outcome possible. Don’t do any of the following:
- Undergo questioning without a lawyer present: When you are first brought into the police station, the officers may try to get information out of you before you have had the chance to speak to your lawyer. Having help from legal counsel is one of your most important rights when you are arrested, and you should always wait to participate in questioning until your lawyer is present to advise you and ensure your best interests are being served.
- Accept an offer to cooperate without legal advice: Police officers may ask you to cooperate with an investigation by disclosing any relevant information you have and suggest that cooperation may make the entire process easier for you. The decision to cooperate with an investigation is one that you should make with help from your attorney—always speak to legal counsel before agreeing to cooperate with an investigation.
- Delay hiring a lawyer: Don’t wait until the police bring formal charges to hire a lawyer. Seek legal assistance as soon as you are arrested and make sure to disclose all relevant information to your legal counsel so that they can effectively assist with your case.
- Hire a lawyer with financial interest in your case: In Texas, lawyers are allowed to act in an additional role as bail bondsmen. It might seem convenient to have a single person representing your case and providing you with bail bonds in Angleton, but this is not a wise decision. In many cases, a bondsman’s financial interest in your case will directly contradict your best interest as a defendant, so you should seek a provider of bail bonds who is independent from your legal counsel.
- Make explanations or excuses to police without a lawyer present: In many cases, individuals who are arrested might try to avoid legal trouble by providing the police with an excuse or explanation. If you are under arrest, it is because police have reason to suspect you of a crime, and you usually can’t explain this suspicion away. A lawyer will be able to help you determine the best path forward in this situation.
Regardless of the kind of legal trouble you are experiencing, it’s essential that you are able to provide bail and avoid being jailed while you await trial for weeks or months. Unfortunately, many people have a hard time making bail for financial reasons—and that’s where Brazoria County Bail Bonds in Angleton comes in. We are here to help individuals who have been arrested return to their lives while they await trial. Contact us by phone to find out more about how we can help you.