People are arrested for many different reasons and the first thing they should do after being arrested is call a criminal defense attorney. However, people usually wait to see what kinds of charges they are facing before hiring an attorney. This is a huge mistake for several reasons.

Keep in mind that the arresting officer(s) will continue to ask you questions. However, your criminal attorney will help you by suggesting you don't answer their questions. He/she doesn't want you saying anything that could hurt you in the court of law. Most cops will be quite causal and friendly but it's a ploy for you to lower your guard. Remember they are looking for breaks in your story and will pay very close attention to all answers. Innocent statements you make can be turned against you and can hinder your attorney in court.

You want to have an attorney at your side when you head to arraignment. When you don't have a criminal defense attorney present, your bond may be set quite high or you may not even have the option for bond. The right criminal defense lawyer can get clients released by their own recognizance with a single promise to appear in court on the date set. An attorney present at your arrangement can help your chances of being released until your trial date.

The criminal defense attorney you hire will need to investigate your case so that he/she gives you the best representation. This may include several things including getting information from both witnesses and arresting officers, all in the effort to get the entire story. Your attorney should handle these tasks just days after the arrest has been made. If you wait too long to call your attorney, precious time and evidence is lost. Again, calling your lawyer should be the first thing you do, not an afterthought.

When you have legal representation, the entire process can be less scary and confusing. No one suspects they'll be arrested and the majority of people have no idea how the entire arrest and arraignment process works. You'll stay in the criminal process loop when you have an experienced legal counsel fighting for you. They'll let you know what options you have and know what will happen.

Make sure to look for a criminal attorney who has experience in criminal cases. You want to make sure they have had positive results in handling their cases. Be sure the attorney you call is compassionate and doesn't judge you. You don't want to pay for an attorney who will intimidate you or make the entire experience even worse than it already is.

When you're arrested, the entire situation is scary enough. With the right legal representation, you can rest assured that your criminal case will be handled efficiently and effectively. You want that attorney from the moment you're arrested so you don't accidentally say anything that will hurt your case in court. Your lawyer should give you the best legal representation at arraignment and conduct investigations in a timely manner.