Labor Day weekend is officially in the books, and for an unfortunate few, the weekend did not go as they originally planned. Whether they got behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or they ran afoul with the law in another way, hundreds if not thousands of Minnesotans were cited or arrested over the long weekend. This begs the question, “What should you do if you or someone you know has been arrested over the weekend?” We explain what steps you’ll want to take next in today’s blog.
After A Weekend Arrest
If you’ve been arrested over the weekend and are trying to figure out the best way to proceed, consider these steps:
1. Contact a Lawyer – Calling a lawyer is arguably the best thing you can do right now. We’re sure you have a lot of questions and concerns about the legal process, and your lawyer can be a great resource for answers. On the off chance that you or your loved one are still being held in jail, a lawyer can also work to help secure their release. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations (click here to set one up by filling out the information on the right side of the page), so take advantage of these informational meetings. Oftentimes these meetings can help you understand how a lawyer can help you reach the best possible resolution for your case.
2. Stay Out Of Trouble – While your case is pending, keep your head down and try to stay out of trouble. Show up to work, handle your family duties and stay out of situations that could reflect poorly on yourself. For example, if your license has been suspended after a DUI arrest, don’t get back behind the wheel and get caught driving on a suspended license. It shows the court you don’t take your original charge seriously. In fact, consider taking things one step further.
3. Be Proactive – Take some proactive steps to show the court that you take the arrest seriously and you’re interested in changing your behavior. Attend an alcohol education class if you’ve been booked for a DUI, or consider substance abuse courses or rehabilitation for drug charges. Talk to your lawyer about proactive things you can do that can put you in a good light with the court before trial.
4. Write Everything Down – Write down everything you can remember about your arrest, your interaction with police and your time in jail. It will likely end up being your word versus theirs, so make sure nothing slips from your mind. Writing down dates and names is very helpful, and don’t skimp on the details either. If your testimony comes off as more credible than the prosecution, you’ll have a good chance of beating the charges.
5. Witness Information – Finally make sure that your lawyer has the contact information for any friends, family members or third-party witnesses that can back up your version of events. The more people that can speak in your defense, the better. This is why it’s so important to get contact information from third-party witnesses as soon as possible, because they can be tough to track down days or weeks after the incident.
If you do all five of these things, you’ll be in a great position to earn a positive outcome with your case. For more information, or for legal assistance, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today.
