What to Do After a Criminal Arrest in Monmouth County
By Charles Moriarty | Published on August 9, 2011 | 0 Comments
A criminal arrest can be a terrifying and even traumatic experience for anyone, especially if you’ve never encountered a problem with the law before, or feel like you’re wrongfully being charged. The moments during and after your arrest are among the most stressful- from the handcuffs, to your rights being read , to being led away by police. You might feel like you’re in a TV show, or in some bad dream. While it’s easy to “lose your cool” or feel the need to explain your innocence, no matter what, the truth is that your actions in these moments could play a major part in the outcome of your case, and nothing is more important than protecting yourself and your future.
Charles Moriarty of The Moriarty Law Firm is a Monmouth County criminal attorney with over 35 years of experience. As a veteran in his field, Moriarty has heard countless tales of arrests, and fought many a case when an accused client’s words or actions in the moments after their arrest came back to haunt him or her.
“It’s understandable, natural even, for someone to want to explain themselves after an arrest. But you have the right to remain silent, and you should absolutely use that right. Words can be taken out of context and used against you, no matter what your original intention,” explains Moriarty.
Speaking with officials immediately after an arrest is especially risky because you’re likely to be extremely nervous and stressed. This could cause you to say things you don’t mean, or could lead to explanations that are unclear, vague, and open to interpretation. For these reasons Moriarty advises anyone who has been arrested on a criminal charge- no matter how small or petty- to wait to speak with a Monmouth County criminal attorney before giving any statement.
“It’s well within your rights to not say a word to anyone until you’ve got a lawyer there to ensure you’re protecting yourself,” says Moriarty.
Contacting a reputable Monmouth County criminal attorney should be your next move, says Moriarty- and you don’t want to choose randomly from the phone book.
“You need someone who is knowledgeable about the system on your side- a lawyer who has handles similar cases and has experience in the community.”
Lastly, Moriarty stresses that anyone facing a criminal case should seek counsel from a criminal attorney in Monmouth County, regardless of the severity of the charge, because even petty convictions can have a major impact on your life.
“Don’t walk into court without an attorney. Without an understanding of the law, it’s easy to fall into an unfair deal on your own. It might seem like you’re getting off easy by going for a plea bargain or some other agreement, but are you aware of all the repercussions? Will you end up with a criminal record that will prevent you from getting a job in the future? ”
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.