What should you do if you
are arrested?
The first move should be obvious... Stop, think, and call a
good lawyer as soon as possible.
When you are arrested...the State of Ohio is accusing you of
committing a crime...something which is punishable...something that might put
your liberty at stake and take you away from your family, friends and loved
ones.
Treat the matter seriously. This is not the time to joke
around or play know-it-all.
Now, generally, most law enforcement personnel are some of the
nicest people you might ever want to meet. However, one of the main functions
of their job is to elicit information from you. They may befriend you. They
may lie to you. They might trick you. They might even threaten you.
What you need to know is that, generally, they are not
eliciting this information for your benefit. Law enforcement personnel
work for the State of Ohio and that officer is probably looking for
information that will help their case AGAINST you.
Every thing you do and every word you say may be used against
you. That's why I usually tell most people to "say nothing",
"answer no questions", "give no consents" and to "not
participate in any investigative procedures until I arrive."
If you are asked to appear in a lineup or be shown for
identification... refuse politely and advise the officer that you want to wait
until your attorney is present. However, do not resist physically and do not
try to cover your face.
One of the things you should be doing is observing everything
that has been going on so you can relate this to your lawyer when he arrives.
Observe all the circumstances that led up to the arrest and observe everything
after the arrest. Make notes and keep them to yourself!
