3 Things You Need To Know About Criminal Law To Protect Yourself

Getting in trouble with the law can be very scary. You might worry about your criminal record, your future, your financial security or all of the above. That is why it is important that you understand how to protect yourself if you are being questioned or arrested by the police. Here are some things you should know.  

1. Don't Invite The Police In, Unless They Have A Warrant

If the police come to your house to ask you questions you shouldn't invite them into your house. They might even ask if they can come inside, but you should decline and ask them to stay on the porch to talk. This is because when you invite them in they might take a look around without a warrant. In addition, if they have a suspicion that something is wrong in the house they could use that to arrest you or search your home. This is why it is better to keep them on the porch and have them come back with a warrant if they want to search. By inviting them in you are essentially giving up your privacy.

2. Always Ask What You Are Being Arrested For

If the police do arrest you it is important that you don't resist arrest and that you ask what you are being arrested for. This will help you know how to protect yourself and what steps to take. After they have arrested you, you should never answer any questions or go through an interrogation without a lawyer present. Even if you are innocent, you could say something that could hurt you without even knowing it. Criminal situations can be messy; an attorney will know what to do to protect you so that you have the best chance at a good outcome.

3. Just Because You Have Been Arrested Doesn't Mean That You Have Been Charged

Another important thing to know is that you can be arrested without being charged. They just need a reason to arrest you, and then during the time you are held they have the opportunity to charge you. If they can't find enough evidence in a given amount of time, they have to let you go. This is why it is important not to give them any more information about the crime without your lawyer present. You should call a defense attorney the moment you are arrested, don't wait until you have been charged.   

These are just a couple things you should know about criminal law to protect yourself. 


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