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How to Protect Your Rights If You Are Arrested (Part 1)

December 26, 2013

If you are stopped and arrested by police, you can protect your rights and start defending yourself by refusing to answer officers’ questions.

Being arrested and accused of any crime can be as frustrating and stressful as it is frightening, particularly if there seems to be a lot of evidence against you and/or if you have never dealt with the criminal system in the past. In such cases, knowing how to deal with police and assert your rights will be crucial to protecting yourself and building your defense cases, especially if you are later officially charged by prosecutors. Here is a closer look at what you should do if you are stopped or arrested by police in order to protect your rights:

Tip 1 – The less you say, the better: Whether you are walking down the street or driving your car, when you are stopped by police, you are obligated to tell them your full legal name; however, aside from that, you do not have to tell them anything. Although you may be eager to explain yourself and tell your side of the story when you are stopped or arrested by police, it’s crucial that you restrain yourself and don’t say anything that could later be used against you.Even if you don’t think that anything you may say could be remotely incriminating, when you start talking to police, they may be able to use interrogation tactics on you, get you emotional or angry and, as a result, get you to say things that you may not mean or want to say.
Tip 2 – Be polite: While you should not answer many of police officers’ questions, you do not have to be rude in the process and should, in fact, do your best to be polite. This is especially important if, after you have been stopped by police, the officer decides to arrest you because the more resistant you are, the more likely it is that you will be charged with additional crimes, like resisting arrest. Although you may be angry in these cases, do your best to keep your cool, as it can be crucial to your defense in the future.

Be sure to check out the upcoming Part 2 of this blog for additional tips regarding what you should do to protect your rights in the event you are arrested and/or charged with any crime.

Denver and Boulder Metro Area Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Griffin Law Firm

Facing any type of criminal charges can be both scary and stressful, as a conviction could cost you your reputation, your career, your family and even your freedom. If you or your loved one has been arrested for and/or formally charged with any crime, Christopher Griffin wants you to know that he is ready to immediately start providing you with the strongest possible defense against police and prosecutors – both outside and inside of the courtroom.

Regardless of whether you are facing criminal charges for the first time, have prior convictions and/or were on probation or parole at the time of the alleged crime, Christopher Griffin and all of the legal professionals at the Griffin Law Firm will work relentlessly to help you obtain the best possible outcome to your case. In fact, our steadfast dedication to the notion that the accused are innocent until proven guilty means that we will do everything in our power to help you resolve your case in the most favorable and efficient manner possible.

To receive a complete evaluation of your case, along with professional advice regarding your best options, contact us by calling 303-280-1070 or by emailing us using the form at the top of this page.