Arrested: What Should I Expect to Happen after an Arrest?

Getting arrested is a stressful and often terrifying experience. Not only are your fundamental freedoms taken away, but an arrest is often the beginning of a lengthy criminal process that may last months or even years. 

Fortunately, when you retain a skilled criminal defense lawyer, you will have an advocate who will help you navigate the process and protect your rights. Contact a Montgomery criminal defense attorney as soon as you can following an arrest. 

Booking at the Station

Once you arrive at the police station, the booking process will begin. This can involve:

• Collecting contact information, the alleged offense, and other vital information
• Taking a mugshot
• Checking for additional warrants you might have out
• Confiscating your personal belongings and your clothing if you are required to change into a uniform
• Obtaining your fingerprints
• Conducting a full-body search, which can be invasive
• Conducting a general health screening
• Placing you in a holding cell to await the next steps

While you should provide your basic information to officers for booking, do not say anything about the offense or answer other in-depth questions without an attorney present. 

Possible Police Questioning

If you have been accused of a crime, there is a good chance that the police may ask you questions relevant to their investigation. This type of questioning can involve a formal interrogation, where they put you in a room and ask you questions. It can also involve them just “making conversation” while getting your fingerprints or processing your paperwork. 

Make no mistake - any questioning about the offense is an attempt to gain evidence they can use against you. For example, if you have been arrested for drunk driving, asking what you had for dinner is almost certainly a ploy to get you to talk about how much you drank. Whether police questioning is formal or informal, the best course of action is to say nothing - other than “I’d like to speak to my lawyer.” Once you have invoked your right to counsel, the police have to stop questioning you until you have an attorney. 

Getting Released or Posting Bond

If you were arrested for a relatively minor offense, you might simply be released from jail within a short timeframe. Officers might release you “on your own recognizance” and provide you with a court date you are expected to attend. 

If your offense was serious or officers believe you are a public threat or a flight risk, you might have a bond set. This is an amount of money you need to give the court before you can be released. Once your case is resolved, you can receive the funds back if you attended all of your court dates. Often, a criminal defense lawyer can get bail reduced or eliminated in a bail hearing, so always discuss your situation with an attorney before posting bond. 

Seek Help from a Montgomery Criminal Defense Attorney Right Away

If you have been arrested or are under investigation regarding alleged criminal activity, you need to retain legal counsel as soon as you can. At Luck Law, LLC, we know how to defend the rights of the accused and will work tirelessly to resolve your case as favorably as possible. Contact us today to schedule a case evaluation with a criminal defense lawyer in Montgomery.