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Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers > Blog > Criminal Defense > How to Handle Yourself After an Arrest

How to Handle Yourself After an Arrest

There is no doubt that being arrested is a stressful event, whether it was expected or not. Your first inclination may be to argue your case with the police as they’re arresting you, or even run before you can be placed in handcuffs. These are both bad ideas. The way you behave after you are arrested can have an impact on the outcome of your case. Here are some tips to follow if you find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

1. Be Courteous

If you are arrested, the police believe that you have done something wrong. Don’t make the situation worse by arguing or fighting. There is nothing you can do at this point to talk yourself out of the situation you are in. Being rude or aggressive could result in more charges being levied against you. Do your best to remain polite and courteous. There is very little reason you should have anything to say at this point.

2. Don’t Speak

In fact, it may be in your best interest to stay quiet. People will say any number of things in a stressful situation, and you don’t want to make matters worse. Do not answer any questions beyond basic identification (name and address), and again, do not try to argue your point. If the police want to question you, ask to speak with your attorney first. The best thing you can do for yourself after you’ve been arrested is to stay quiet.

3. Do Not Admit Guilt

In some cases, you have been arrested for a crime that you know you have committed. Do not admit this to anyone. If you admit your guilt in hopes of securing some type of favor from the police, you will only be disappointed. You can expect that any admissions of guilt will be used against you in a court of law. Your attorney should be the only person you tell whether you actually committed the crime or not, as they can work out a plea bargain on your behalf if the prosecutor has solid evidence against you.

4. Know You Are Being Recorded

It’s easy to forget that you are being monitored when you are in jail. If you are in custody, you can bet that anything you say is being recorded. Don’t fall into the trap of speaking to friends or family on the phone about your case. You should also keep this in mind when sending or receiving mail in jail. Anything that is said, orally or in writing, can be used against you.

5. Don’t Lie to Your Attorney

Once you’ve been arrested, you may be tempted to shed a more positive light on yourself. You may think that keeping things from your attorney is a wise move. Unfortunately, your attorney can only work with the information you provide. Do not lie to your attorney; they can’t work for you to the best of their ability if they don’t have all the facts.
If you are arrested in Atlanta, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call Hawkins Spizman Fortas for a free case evaluation as soon as you are able to do so. We will review the details of your arrest and advise you of your legal options. Call today or browse our website for more information about our firm.

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