What Happens After I Am Arrested?

Booking

Do not panic if you are arrested.  I can guide you through the system and hold the Government to its burden.  After an arrest, the normal course of events dictates that you will be "booked," or "processed."   This process usually involves the officer doing the following: 

1.               Gathers your personal information.  This includes your name, date of birth and your address.  You do not have to give any information about the facts they are accusing you of or answer any of the officer’s questions about the incident.

2.               Searches your person and takes any property that is on your person.  These items will be returned to you upon your release from custody as long as the Government does not consider the items evidence of a crime.

3.               You will be finger printed and photographed.

4.               You will then be placed in a holding cell until you make bail, make your court appearance or are not charged within the allotted amount of time.

If you are arrested, tell the officers you want a lawyer present.   You will be able to reach me at (651) 214-7209.

You may receive a citation or a Complaint by summons, where you are told of a court date.  If this occurs, contact me immediately.

 Bail

After you are arrested you will most likely be eligible for bail or “Release on your Own Recognizance” (ROR).  The court will most likely set bail in the alternative: bail without conditions (except to make court appearances) and a bail amount with conditions.

Bail is a procedure where you can pay money to the court or a bondsman to get out of jail pending your court proceedings.  If you post bail with the Court, the Court normally requires the full bail amount to be deposited with them.

If are unable to post the full amount of bail, you may decide to use a bail bond agency.  This agency will charge a fee to you less than the bail set by the Court and may also require collateral.  After you have arranged this, the agency will file a “Bond” with the Court that is a guarantee that the full bail amount will be paid if you do not make your court appearances and meet the conditions of your bail setting.  After this “Bond” is properly filed, you will be released from jail.

Contact Patrick Flanagan immediately if you have any questions regarding these procedures at (651) 214-7209, or email him at PatrickFlanagan@Flanaganlawsite.com

All information contained in this site is general in nature.  The material stated above is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.  If you are in need of legal advice concerning a particular matter, you should contact an attorney who can assist you with your situation.