Happy Thanksgiving! Nobody expects to be arrested today, but the fact of the matter is that hundreds of Minnesotans will end up in handcuffs by night’s end. Being arrested on Thanksgiving is only slightly different than being arrested on any other day of the week, but there are a couple extra things you’ll want to keep in mind if you run into trouble with the law on the holiday. Below, we share three tips to keep in mind if you are arrested on Thanksgiving.
What To Do During A Thanksgiving Arrest
Hundreds of Minnesotans are going to be arrested today. Whether it’s for drunk driving, shoplifting or some other serious crime, it’s important that you keep your wits about you throughout the arrest so that you stand to come out of the situation in a better position to earn a favorable result with your case. Here are the three pieces of advice we’d give to anyone who ends up in handcuffs on Thanksgiving.
1. Stay Quiet – You’re not going to be able to talk your way out of an arrest just because it’s Thanksgiving. You may be able to get let off with a warning on Thanksgiving for a minor traffic infraction, but if you’re operating a vehicle under the influence of you’ve been caught shoplifting, your pleas for release are going to fall on deaf ears. You may think that there’s nothing to lose by trying to talk your way out of a situation, but everything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. Trying to talk your way out of an arrest by saying “I only had a couple beers” isn’t going to elicit the response you’re hoping for, but it will confirm to the police that you did indeed consume alcohol, and that will only make it harder to win a case in court. Keep your mouth shut and be forgettable.
2. Lawyer Up – As soon as possible during the course of the arrest, connect with a lawyer. They’ll be able to talk you through the next steps and arrange for your release. Thanksgiving and the day after are considered court holidays, and if you can’t be brought before a judge to have your charges formally read in court, you may be stuck in jail for days. Let an experienced criminal defense attorney work with the local police department to secure your release until you can be brought before a judge. This can help prevent major issues with your family or your employment so that an arrest doesn’t interrupt your life as much as it possibly could. A lawyer will do more for you than simply fight your case in court, so sync up with them early in the process.
3. Stay Out Of Trouble – Finally, once you’re released and waiting for your court date, keep your head low and stay out of trouble. A judge wants to see that this was a one-off mistake and that you’ve learned your lesson, and if you’re arrested again before your first case plays out, it’s going to send the wrong message to the court. For best results, connect with your lawyer and see if they have any pre-court recommendations. They may advise that you complete a substance abuse course or anger management classes, as this can showcase to the court that you take the matter seriously and want to better yourself. Stay out of trouble and be proactive with your case if recommended by your lawyer.
If you do these three things, we’re confident your Thanksgiving arrest won’t be so bad. For more information, or for help with a different criminal matter, reach out to the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
