Imagine a scenario where you get a phone call from an unknown number, only to find out that your loved one is calling to say they have been arrested. The feelings of distress, worry, and dread immediately flood your consciousness, making you unable to concentrate on anything else. All you can think about is getting your friend or family member out of their
predicament. However, you might wonder how to help your loved one without making things worse. Here is a guide on the steps to take if your loved one is arrested for a crime:
Remain composed
One of the most important things you should do when your loved one is arrested is to stay calm. If you panic or start behaving erratically, you will also cause your loved one to get nervous. It would be best to advise your friend to follow the police officer’s instructions and cooperate as best as possible.
Respect the police
If you happen to be there during the arrest, it would be wise to respect the police and refrain from doing or saying anything that could make the situation worse. Remember, they are human and are doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. Most police officers will respond to your questions if you ask them politely and don’t do anything to disrupt their work.
Ask questions and gather information
You might hear about their arrest from a third party and frankly, you cannot help your loved one if you don’t know what happened. It would be wise to obtain crucial information such as the date, time, and location of their arrest.
Find out which police officer arrested your loved one and what arresting agency they work for. Ensure you write everything down so you won’t forget any important detail. The information you gather could prove valuable in challenging the validity of their arrest.
Reassure your loved one
Your loved one is most likely going through one of the most stressful times of their life. Their lives could change for the worst, and the future is unknown. You could help by uttering comforting words and assuring them everything will be okay. If you have time to speak to them before they are whisked away in the police car, let them know that you will do everything
you can to get them out of their predicament.
Make plans for them to have legal counsel
Another important thing you need to do after your loved one has been arrested is to hire aggressive criminal defense attorneys. Their lives are at stake, and even the slightest delay could hamper their chances of being acquitted or given a lesser sentence. Once you tell the attorney exactly where the police have detained your loved one, they can rush down to the
station and chat one-on-one. A visit from their attorney could save your loved one from an interrogation.
Don’t ask for details
If your friend or family member contacts you from jail, the last thing you want them to do is spill the juicy details of how they got arrested. All phone calls are recorded at police stations, and the authorities will not hesitate to
use your words against you in court. Even if you seem upset about the arrest, it would be wise to reserve the scolding when you see them in person.
Urge your loved one to remain silent
The police will request your loved one to answer some questions while they are still in custody. However, these questions are not as harmless as they may seem. More often than not, the interrogator might trick you into saying something incriminating or twist your words to make it look like you are admitting to the crime. Therefore, it would be wise to advise your loved to
stay silent and refrain from answering questions without an attorney present.
Be available and supportive
Last but not least, your loved one would highly appreciate your support during these tough times. Ensure you have your phone with you all the time in case they want to call you. It would also be a good idea to be present for
the court hearings and familiarize yourself with the case’s progress. We guarantee your friend would want to see a friendly face in the audience. When their release comes, be there to pick them up or arrange a ride. It’s the little things in life that make a huge difference.
Final remarks
Unfortunate events like your loved one being arrested can happen when you least expect it. We hope our guide will help you navigate the unfortunate turn of events and hopefully you can get your loved one out of the situation.
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