Columbus, Ohio Criminal Law Attorney

Information on What Steps To Take If You Are Arrested

If you are arrested for any criminal offense, no matter how minor, you need to take immediate action to protect your rights and legal options. Failure to act promptly may lead to a criminal conviction and loss of your freedom.

Six Key Things To Do

1. Call an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately.
   
   
   Even a “minor” crime such as a misdemeanor traffic violation can have serious effects such as loss of driving privileges, damage to your career and job prospects, fines, and even jail time. In this critical situation, don’t risk your freedom and future. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can fight to protect your rights, to protect your freedom, and to preserve all of your legal options.  
   
   
2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
   
   Anything you say or do can and will be used against you. Do not volunteer any evidence. If you have been arrested or have reason to think you will be arrested, do not speak to a law enforcement officer without an attorney present. By remaining silent, you deprive the authorities of evidence that can be used against you.
   
   
   DUI Cases – If you are stopped for suspicion of drunk driving, you will be asked to take a blood alcohol test. In Ohio, if you decline to take this test, you will automatically lose your driver’s license for one year. If you are arrested for drunk driving, ask to speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer before taking any tests. The attorney will advise you regarding the taking of any tests.
   
   
3. Exercise Your Right to Have an Attorney Present
   
   
   The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees your right to counsel regarding any criminal matter. Ask to have an attorney present during any questioning. The attorney can protect your rights and prevent the prosecution from obtaining certain types of incriminating evidence against you. If you have been arrested for DUI, you have the right to talk to an attorney before submitting to testing. Because evidence of alcohol consumption disappears with time, you cannot needlessly delay the test. This conference with an attorney will occur over the phone rather than in person.
   
   
4. Beware of “Cooperating” with the Police
   
   
   The “Good Cop/Bad Cop” treatment is a cliché from the movies, but police forces still use it to obtain information from the unwitting. A “good cop” may act decently and even sympathetically toward you, but beware of volunteering any information. Police officers may claim that if you cooperate, they will help you get more lenient treatment in your case. They have no ability to do so.
   
   When dealing with law enforcement personnel, always be polite and respectful.
   
   
5. Never Confess or Admit Wrongdoing Without First Conferring with an Attorney
   
   An experienced Ohio criminal defense attorney can best advise you as to when, or if, you should make a confession.
   
   
6. Document Your Memories of the Events Leading to Your Arrest, and Preserve Evidence
   
   As soon as possible, write down your memories of key events and timelines. Preserve any evidence that would serve to prove your innocence. Do not destroy any evidence.

In Columbus, Ohio, criminal law attorneys need to be knowledgeable and experienced. If you face criminal charges, the Law Offices of Joel M. Mazel can help you preserve your rights and your freedom.

To arrange for a free initial consultation with the Law Offices of Joel M. Mazel, call us at 614-837-5077, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or contact us online.