People are arrested for crimes every day in California and often, they are innocent. The penalties for crimes in the state are harsh and even when a charge seems minor, it is critical to speak to a Ventura criminal defense lawyer for help. A lawyer will challenge the case of law enforcement and the prosecution to help you beat the charges.
Being placed under arrest is an upsetting experience for anyone, and people often do not know what to do. However, the time of the arrest is an important one. The steps a person takes while under arrest can greatly help or hurt their case. It is important to know what to do, and what your rights are so you can exercise them and give yourself the best chance of a positive outcome.
Although a person can face criminal charges any time they break the law, there are some crimes that are more commonly charged than others in Ventura, and throughout the state. These criminal offenses include:
- Drunk driving, of which there are several different types of charges a person may face in California
- Drug crimes, including illegal possession, manufacturing, selling, distributing, and trafficking
- Violent crimes, such as battery, assault, domestic violence, murder, kidnapping, carjacking, and rape
- Weapons violations, including using a firearm to commit a crime, which comes with enhanced sentencing
- White collar crimes, which includes computer crimes, antitrust violations, money laundering, and tax violations
Law enforcement agencies and the prosecution for the state often become overzealous when pursuing any criminal charges. It is for this reason that anyone under arrest knows the laws that provide them with several rights. Everyone in the state should know what these rights are, in the event that they are ever questioned or arrested by law enforcement. The steps you take at that time will greatly help your case in the future.
The majority of the rights that protect you during an arrest are in the Miranda Warning. Police must only read these rights if they intend to take you into custody. Anything you say before or after that time can be used against you. When under arrest, you have several protections, including:
- The right to remain silent. You should not answer any of the police officer’s questions, particularly if your lawyer is not present.
- The right to an attorney, which is a critical right to exercise as soon as possible after you are arrested and taken into custody.
- If you cannot afford to hire an attorney on your own, you have the right to be appointed one. You should also request this immediately after an arrest.
Anything you say to a police officer can be held against you, so it is crucial that you wait for a lawyer and do not say anything to law enforcement until they arrive.
If you have been charged with
A crime, call 805-477-0070 now.
We can provide you with a free case review.
At Strongest Defense, we know you have rights, but we also know that law enforcement does not always uphold them. If you or someone you love has been arrested for a crime, it is critical that you do not speak to law enforcement until you have spoken to one of our Ventura criminal defense lawyers. We will ensure your rights are protected and craft a solid case to give you the best chance of beating the charges. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
