Getting arrested can be scary, confusing, and embarrassing. If you’ve never been in trouble with the law and you’ve done nothing wrong, the experience can be even worse. It helps to be prepared if you find yourself in such a situation in Abilene, Texas. It is important that you don’t panic. Instead, assert your right to an attorney and limit what you say until you’ve spoken to your Abilene criminal attorney. Contrary to what some believe, innocent people need legal representation, sometimes more so than guilty people.
Advice from an Abilene Criminal Defense Attorney: Know Your Rights
Your attorney will work hard to ensure your rights are protected. However, in the moments before you get legal counsel, you have to act in your own best interests. The United States Constitution guarantees your Miranda Rights. You’ve probably heard these many times on TV. However, when you get arrested, you may not think about how important they are. The arresting officer must read you your rights when arresting you.
Your rights include:
- The right to remain silent
- The right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police
- The right to have an attorney present when police question you
- The right to a lawyer provided by the court if you can’t afford one
- The right to stop answering questions at any time.
In Texas, the arresting officer should ask if you understand all your rights and whether you have questions about the charges. It is in your best interests not to say anything before talking to an attorney. Remember, your comments could be used against you.
What Happens After You Get Arrested in Texas: How to Get Out of Jail
Under the law, you must go before a judge within 48 hours of your arrest. The judge will inform you of your charges and whether there is an affidavit supporting the charges. The judge must give you a reasonable time to consult a lawyer if you haven’t done so as yet.
During your arraignment hearing, you will have to enter a plea. You should discuss all available options with your lawyer and the impact of each one. You should then follow their advice. The judge has the discretion to grant bail and this is determined on a case by case basis. If you get bail, the judge will set certain conditions to ensure you return to court.
The judge may set a cash bond, surety bond or personal recognizance bond. A cash bond means you have to pay a set amount in cash. With a surety bond, someone else agrees to pay if you fail to appear in court. If you are released on your own recognizance, there’s no need for cash or collateral.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, the court may also impose:
- Travel restrictions
- An ignition interlock device for your car
- Electronic monitoring
- Restrictions on who you can interact with
What Criminal Lawyers in Abilene, TX Tell Clients Who Get Bail
If you are released on bail, you should make an effort not to do anything which could hurt your case. Avoid posting about the case on social media or contacting any other parties involved in the matter. It would not help your case if you post a picture of you drinking following a DWI charge. You should also be careful about who you associate with. If you’re on drug charges, hanging out with known drug dealers could jeopardize your case. If there are other special considerations in your case, your lawyer will advise you accordingly.
Contact Eddington & Worley to Get Help After You’ve Been Arrested
If you’ve been arrested, you need to call an Abilene criminal attorney at the earliest opportunity. A lot could be at stake and you don’t want to take chances with your freedom. When you contact us, we will advise you on what you should and should not say. When we come to see you, we will ensure that your rights are protected. Many accused people believe that everything will be okay if they just give their side of the story. However, this is not the case.
Even if you are innocent of the charges, you could get convicted if you don’t have an experienced lawyer. The attorneys at Eddington & Worley will do everything in their power to ensure you are treated fairly. The most important thing is to call us before say anything self-incriminating. If you’ve already waived your rights and spoken to the police without an attorney, we can still help you. Call us today to get the representation you deserve.