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If you or a loved one have been arrested in Madera County, California, what you do before, during and after the arrest can have a big impact on the outcome, as this advice by Central Valley criminal defense lawyer John Abel reveals.
Blue and red lights in the rearview, a loud knock on your door early in the morning, the moments leading up to arrest in Madera County are different for everyone. These moments are crucial, however, as what you do and how you behave can have a disproportionate impact on the outcome of your case, though few police officers are likely to tell you how.
Unfortunately, knowledge of both your rights and police behavior can have a disproportionate impact on the outcome of even the most straightforward of cases. It is important for folks in Madera County and throughout the Central Valley to know and understand what to expect, what to do, and what not to do when being arrested. Do you know what to do if it happens to you?
Criminal defense lawyer John Abel has spent decades defending individuals of nearly every profession from a wide variety of criminal charges. He can tell you from first-hand experience that no one is safe from possible arrest and that everyone needs to be very careful how they behave. If you do not, you risk making the potential consequences and the work of your defense attorney that much more difficult.
While the range of possible crimes you can be arrested for in Madera County is as vast as the rest of California, there are certainly some crimes that are more frequent than others. While a lot of noise gets made in the media about violent crimes and TV shows are filled with murders, you are much more likely to face criminal charges for any of the following:
Other crimes are certainly not unheard of, but among the charges you are most likely to face, these are the big three. Fortunately, that also means that criminal defense attorney John Abel has extensive experience working on such charges and knows exactly what you should and should not do when arrested for them.
In order to minimize your chances of a conviction and improve your odds of getting the charges against you reduced or dismissed, here are some key tips from experienced Madera County criminal defense lawyer John Abel.
You have the right to remain silent when under arrest for good reasons. Anything you do say is going to be twisted out of context and used against you in court or as an excuse to obtain more evidence or further restrict your freedom.
Therefore, you should refuse to answer questions without an attorney after being arrested. Before you are under arrest, you should only answer basic factual questions such as your identity, but that’s it.
It can be tempting to admit to a minor issue, such as having had a single drink or smoking a joint earlier in the day, in the hopes that law enforcement will let you off easy or appreciate your honesty. Do not do this; you are only providing the police with information they can use against you and giving them a reason to search you or put you under arrest.
Back at the precinct or county jail, the police or a prosecutor may offer to let you go home or wrap up the whole business if you just sign some papers describing the situation. Do not sign anything law enforcement hands you without having the papers and statements carefully reviewed by a lawyer. Your attorney will make sure you are not admitting to anything criminal or making the situation worse for yourself.
Law enforcement officers do not respond well to anger, indignation and other negative or aggressive emotions. Always remain calm and polite, even when you think you are being treated unfairly; the police may be trying to rile you up to get a confession or give them an excuse to escalate or arrest. Remain poised and use calm and polite language, but be firm in your refusal to answer questions without speaking with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you are being arrested or if someone with you is being taken away by law enforcement, it is past time to call a lawyer. A criminal defense lawyer will help make sure your rights are protected, explain what to expect, and work with you to develop a strategy to minimize the harm caused by the arrest. Do not expect or wait for law enforcement to tell you that you need a lawyer; they would much rather you make a mistake and confess, saving them the trouble of actually having to build a case against you.
John Abel | A Central Valley criminal defense lawyer who knows exactly what to do if you or someone you love has been arrested.
While the above guide will help spare you potentially costly mistakes when under arrest, there is no replacement for having a lawyer there with you. Every arrest and situation is different, and each one requires an attorney to be present and provide live advice based on the circumstances. If you or someone you love has been arrested on DUI, drug possession, or domestic violence charges, do not wait to see what happens. The faster you act and get a criminal defense attorney on your side, the better your chances of beating the charges and avoiding errors that could cost you your future and freedom.
Call (559) 321-1977 or reach out online to get Central Valley criminal defense lawyer John Abel on your side!
