CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYERS

Getting Arrested – What to do!

At Aston Legal – Criminal Defence Lawyers, we help our clients defend all criminal offences. Whether serious charges such as assault, drug offences, theft or fraud or less serious offences such as common assault or driving or traffic offences.

An important aspect of defending police charges is knowing what to do if you get arrested. We have provided some information which might assist.

Getting arrested can happen to anyone. It can be scary. This story is about getting arrested. It will help you to know what to do if it ever happens to you.

Arrest means you have to go with the police. If the police say “You’re under arrest” then go with the police. Stay calm and don’t argue or fight and don’t run away.

At the police station you will have to take everything out of your pockets. Don’t worry, the police will put your things in a bag and later you will get everything back. The police might search you by feeling over your clothes. Again, don’t get angry – it’s a rule and it’s for your safety.

The police will tell you that you don’t have to say or do anything while you’re at the police station.

This means you don’t have to answer any questions or say anything about what happened.

A police officer will ask you some questions about yourself. Questions like what is your name and address, or do you need any medication? You should tell the police these things.

At the police station, you will have to wait in a small room with windows and the police might lock the door. You might feel scared or sad. Try to stay calm.

Your legal rights:

You have the right to talk to a lawyer. The lawyer understands all about the law and can tell you what you should do. It’s a good idea to speak to a lawyer. Ask the police to ring a lawyer for you. THIS IS YOUR LEGAL RIGHT so don’t be afraid to ask the police.

The police can ring Hugo Aston who is a director of Aston Legal – Criminal Defence Lawyers on 0424 199 904. Hugo is available to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days per week and will come to the police station to help you.

When you call Aston Legal, speak to Hugo. Hugo might advise you that you should NOT answer any questions. Why? Because it’s easy to get confused with the questions. You might say something you don’t mean and you can’t change it. You need to tell the police “I don’t want to answer any questions” or you could say “My lawyer said not to answer any questions”. It’s okay. Remember what the police said before?? “You don’t have to say anything”.

Sometimes the police will ask you “Will you agree to an electronically recorded interview”, again, do not agree to an interview and repeat to the police officer “My lawyer has advised me to say nothing”. It’s that simple.

The Police will decide if you will get bail. Bail means you can go home but the police might write down some “bail conditions” you have to stick to. Bail conditions are some things you promise to do and some things you promise not to do. You have to stick to bail conditions or the police will arrest you again and this can make things more serious.

If the police refuse to grant you bail, don’t worry, Hugo Aston will make an application to the court. In most cases, bail is granted by the court.

The police will decide if they are going to charge you. If you are charged, you will have to go to court. Again, don’t worry. Hugo Aston will represent you in court.

If the police charge you, they will give you a paper that tells you what day you have to go to court and which court to go to. The paper is called a Court Attendance Notice. Before you leave the police station you will get all your possessions back. The police will give you some papers don’t lose them – keep them safe.

Remember, if you are charged, you will have to go to court but Hugo Aston will have seen you well before the date you are to appear in court and he will have prepared everything necessary to ensure that your legal rights are protected. On the day you are to appear in court Hugo Aston will fight fearlessly to defend and protect you.

So remember, no matter where you are, if you get arrested, do the following:

Stay Calm – don’t get angry, violent or abusive

Go with the police

Ask to speak with your lawyer – Hugo Aston

Remember you don’t have to answer any questions

Ask the police to ring Aston Legal on 0424 199 904

Aston legal – Criminal Defence Lawyers. Protecting and helping you 24/7.
www.astonlegal.com