We’re gearing up for what always tends to be one of our busiest weekends at the firm, and while we’d be just as happy if fewer people were getting arrested, we know that we need to be ready to be a legal resource for a number of people over the 4th of July holiday weekend. You can always give us a call at at (952) 224-2277 for individualized advice, but we wanted to create a quick reference sheet on the off-chance you run into trouble with the law this weekend. Below, you’ll find five steps to take quickly if you or someone you know gets arrested over the 4th of July in Minnesota.
Five Steps To Take After An Independence Day Arrest
As soon as it looks like you might run into some trouble with the law, consider doing these five things in a timely manner.
1. Stay Silent – You can answer basic information about your name and age, but don’t start talking about details of your night that could incriminate you. Remember, the police officer is not your friend and you’re not going to be able to talk your way out of a DUI. Anything you say can and will be used against you, so don’t make the state’s case for them.
2. Be Polite – Similarly, don’t make your situation worse by arguing or yelling at the police officer. You want to be as unremarkable as possible during your interaction, and yelling or escalating the situation will only make things worse. Don’t run and don’t run your mouth. Let the situation play out and then make a plan.
3. Contact A Lawyer – When given the opportunity, take the time to contact a defense lawyer. They’ll be able to explain your situation, talk about your next steps and help get you out of jail. If you don’t talk to a lawyer, it’s possible that you’ll have to wait in jail until you can be seen by a judge, which may not be until Tuesday. We can help to secure your release and get started on a solid defense plan.
4. Stay Out Of Trouble – If trouble has found you on a holiday weekend, don’t go looking for more. A judge isn’t going to give you the benefit of the doubt if you get arrested again before your first case has concluded. In fact, it may be in your best interest to be proactive and take part in an alcohol awareness or substance abuse course. These are often required after a DUI, so you can get it out of the way and show to the judge that you’re interested in making positive changes in your life by taking a course during the pre-trial stages.
5. Don’t Just Plead Guilty – Even if it looks like police have you dead to rights on a DUI charge, don’t just plead guilty and hope the judge goes easy on you. There could be problems with evidence collection or due process, or the prosecutor may be open to accepting a plea deal to get a case off of their plate. A defense lawyer can exhaust all options and look into plea deals to help you make the best of a bad situation.
Hopefully you don’t need these tips, but it’s not a bad idea to bookmark this page for future reference. Or better yet, save our phone number so that we’re always only one call away if you need a lawyer. (952) 224-2277.
