Anyone can get arrested. You might think that it will never happen to your friends and family, but there’s no telling what actions can lead them to get booked and charged for a crime. If this has never happened to you or anyone you know, it can be an extremely stressful experience figuring out what to do. You’ll need to act fast to make sure they can get out quickly and safely.
Thankfully, just because they’re arrested doesn’t mean they’ll be found guilty. There’s a way to get them out, including posting bail or bonds. It’s just a matter of what you do in the hours following the arrest. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do if it happens.
Stay calm
If you find yourself with your loved one during the time of their arrest, panicking and trying to explain the situation to the arresting officer will not do either of you favors. Stay calm and listen intently to what the police are saying, and try to calm your friend or family member as well. The more relaxed you are, the quicker and less complicated the situation will be.
Meanwhile, if you aren’t with your loved one and simply get a call from them informing you of their circumstances, avoid getting worked up. Listen to your loved one or the arresting officer as they explain what steps need to be taken next.
Gather as much evidence and information as you can
Avoid obstructing the police officer from carrying out the arrest if you happen to be there with your loved one. This could get you in trouble and further complicate things. Instead, you need to comply with everything the arresting officer tells you. It’s more important to be useful in this situation by gathering as much evidence and information as you possibly can about what’s going on. Be polite when asking the officer for details about the arrest. You can ask for his or her name, why your loved one is being arrested, what precinct they’ll be led to, and which jurisdiction the officer is from. Note the date and time of the arrest, as well as the plate number of the officer’s car. Remember all this information, which will help build your loved one’s case.
Wait it out
Once your friend or family member has been taken into custody, they’ll appear before a judge in around 24 to 48 hours. They can choose to plead not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Make sure that your loved one asks for legal representation so that they can figure out the best course of action to take.
You can also set them up with a lawyer yourself. The judge will set the bail depending on how severe the charges are. You can choose to pay the bond in full if you’re able to, or you can contact a bond dealer to pay on your behalf while you pay them 10% of the total amount. You can expect your loved one to be released within 24 to 48 hours after posting bail.
No matter how frightening the situation of having your loved one getting arrested might be, it’s essential to keep a level head to ensure that they get out safely.
