Finding out that there is a warrant out for your arrest can make your heart skip a few beats. Whether or not you are guilty of the thing you're being arrested for, you have to figure out what to do in the coming days. Here are a few dos and don'ts to help guide your decisions.
Don't: Flee the country or state.
You may feel tempted to run from your problems, but this is never the smart choice. Eventually, the law will catch up with you, and then you will have additional charges to worry about. Plus, if you are on the run from the law, you will always feel on-edge and you'll have a hard time relaxing. What kind of life is that?
Do: Contact a lawyer before you turn yourself in.
When you do end up under arrest, your ability to speak openly with a lawyer will be limited. Your attorney will have to come to the jail or talk to you over the phone. While you are still out of jail, contact an attorney and set up an in-person appointment to discuss your case. Tell them what you are being arrested for, whether you did it, and your version of what happened when you committed the crime. If you are indeed innocent, tell the lawyer.
Don't: Turn yourself in during the evening.
If possible, wait until the morning to go turn yourself in at the police station. For minor offenses, you may only be held for a few hours before being placed in front of the judge so bail can be posted. If you turn yourself in during the morning, there's a better chance that you won't have to stay overnight in jail. If you wait until evening, it will be the next day before personnel are available to process your case -- so you'll have to wait longer.
Do: Call a bail bond company before you turn yourself in.
You won't know if you're able to be released on bail or how much the bail will be until you get to jail. However, you should contact a bail bond company and put them in touch with your family members before you turn yourself in. This way, the process of paying bail will already be started, and you can get out sooner.
Turning yourself in is usually the best option after you've been arrested. With the tips above, it will go as smoothly as is possible.
Share20 October 2018
One thing I have always been good with is money. Even in high school, I always had a savings from my allowance and from working for the neighbors. I created this blog to help other young people understand the importance of financial responsibility even at a young age. If we start our adult lives knowing about financial responsibility, we can make it further in our lives before we suffer from the devastation of financial mistakes that can take years and years to pay back. Hopefully, what you learn here will help you avoid those financial mistakes and maybe help you recover from the ones you've already made.