A police officer confronts you and says you're under arrest. From the moment you're arrested, time stands still, and a million questions flash through your mind, but the most crucial issue is the best way to handle this, and how do you move forward?

Officers are required to read you your Miranda Rights from the moment you are taken into custody. Once your rights have been read, you should acknowledge that you have the right to remain silent and have the right to an attorney. Once you've been taken into custody, you also have the right to make one phone call. This allows you to get in touch with your family, a bail bondsman, or to obtain legal counsel.

You should cooperate with law enforcement even if you believe you've been wrongfully detained or arrested. Resisting arrest will only result in more legal ramifications that will harm your case. Remember, you will have the opportunity to argue your innocence in court. You might be able to bring a false arrest lawsuit later if the arresting officer did not have probable cause to arrest you.

One of the most critical steps following an arrest is obtaining a lawyer. If you can't afford one, an attorney will be appointed for you regardless of your financial situation. You'll notice the benefits of legal representation as soon as you meet your lawyer for the first time.

You can request their presence at every interrogation meeting with the police, and you can remain silent during the times your lawyer is not there. This protects you from incriminating yourself or mistakenly saying something that gives the prosecution an advantage. You can also request that your lawyer show up at any physical lineups that the police order. A lawyer can protect your rights during these lineups and prevent bias introduced by the police.

Attorneys are well-versed in laws and regulations, and their experience is valuable for identifying opportunities to tip the scales in your favor. Having your attorney request a particular type of hearings, arguing a specific angle, or calling expert witnesses to the stand will only benefit you in the long run.

LaHood Norton Law Group fights cases with honor and integrity, and the lawyers there have your best interests at heart. They argue several types of cases, including assault, burglary, domestic violence, drug crimes, DWI, murder, theft, and weapons violations.

If you're interested in hiring a defense attorney, visit LaHood Norton Law Group online or call (210) 797-7700 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.