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Six
Steps to Follow if Arrested: A
Survival Guide
We
understand that being arrested is a
very traumatic and upsetting
experience for most people.
Cornerstone Bail Bonds is here to help
you through it! Here is what you
should do if you or a friend (or
relative) has been arrested:
Step
1- Call Cornerstone Bail
Bonds: 877-7 MY BAIL
We
are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. We will meet you at a convenient
location to arrange bail anywhere in
Southern California.
Step
2 - Do not talk to anyone
except a lawyer about the situation.
It
is natural to want to talk to other
people about the arrest or your
feelings about it. Avoid this at all
costs since people you talk to could
be called as witnesses against you.
Talk only to your attorney about the
case.
Step
3 - Find the right Attorney
Finding
the right attorney for you and your
case is not an easy task. If you need
a public defender, this should be
brought up at your arraignment. The
court will immediately appoint one for
you, if you qualify. To find a private
attorney, start by calling the County
Bar Association for a referral. You
might also contact an attorney you
know and ask for a referral for
someone who specializes in your kind
of case. On the Internet, some very
good attorney referral directories
include: www.findlaw.com,
www.lawguru.com
or www.lawyer.com.
Step
4 - When you wait for your
court appearance
After
you are released from jail awaiting
your court appearance, it is important
that you lead a very law-biding life
and do not break any more laws. It
often helps your case to correct
problems in your life that caused your
arrest. It also helps to do whatever
you need to do to convince the court
that you are now trying to be a good
citizen and improve your life. For
example, enroll in anger management if
you anticipate the court will want you
to do that. If unemployed, enroll in
school or find a job prior to your
court appearance. If the charge
involves your treatment of children
enroll in a good parenting program. If
alcohol or drug abuse is an issue,
immediately enroll in a rehabilitation
program.
Step
5 - Behave appropriately in
court
Your
physical appearance in court can
influence the outcome of your case. Be
sure to dress appropriately. Tank-tops
and sandals are not appropriate.
Don’t bring your children to court,
if this can be avoided. If you must
bring your children, bring snacks or
meals for them. When standing before
the court, be sure to remain in
control of your attitude and emotions
at all times. Sarcasm or negative
attitude can only hurt you and your
case. Do not discuss you case in
hallways or in the bathroom, unless it
is with your attorney. After all, you
never know who else is listening.
Step
6 - Preparing For Jail Time
If
you are sentenced to jail time, it
will be much easier for you and your
family if you prepare ahead of time
emotionally and financially for your
ordeal. Some practical things to do
that will help include the following:
-
Organize
your finances prior to going to jail.
-
Take
a copy of your medical records,
medications and prescriptions to the
jailers so that you can continue any
medications and medical care you may
need.
-
If
you wear eye glasses, take an extra
pair, as glasses frequently get broken
in jail.
-
Make
arrangements with any storage units
you have to continue storage of your
items.
-
Switch
magazine subscriptions to your jail
address.
-
Get
needed dental work done prior to
incarceration, if possible.
-
Give
power of attorney to your spouse or
partner for all business and financial
matters.
-
Update
your driver’s license before going
to jail.
-
Women
should arrange for child care and give
temporary guardianship and authority
for medical care to a trusted family
member or friend.
-
Consider
getting brief counseling to deal with
the stress of incarceration or having
to live without your partner or
relative for awhile. You can talk
freely to a clergy-person or a mental
health professional because they are
bound to confidentiality and cannot
legally discuss what you tell them to
anyone.
-
Decide
ahead of time how often you will call
out from jail, because this can get
very expensive. All calls from jail
have to be collect calls through a
company other than the regular phone
company. This other phone company is
charges higher rates, so your collect
bill can add up very quickly.
-
You
will want “extra’s” in jail –
things that are considered
“essential” on the outside but
have to be bought inside at the
commissary. This includes food items,
toiletries, etc. To purchase these
items, you or someone else can put
money “on the books.” This serves
as a credit-card so you can purchase
needed items. It is best to budget
this amount prior to going to jail so
that the “ground rules” are in
place – this avoids conflict and
misunderstanding.
