FAQ: What to do if you're arrested

If you are arrested, remember:


1. Contact an attorney immediately.

2. Do NOT talk with the police. You have a constitutional right to remain SILENT. Use this right! Only say, "I want to talk with my lawyer."

* The police may indicate that they want to help you and coerce you into giving a statement that you should not give until after you have talked with a lawyer. No matter how "casual" a comment may seem, it is still an official statement that be used against you.

3. Do not allow any searches of your car, house, person, business, belongings, etc.

* Under the 4th Amendment you have a right to refuse a search. USE THIS RIGHT.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

A “misdemeanor” is a crime punishable by up to 12 months in the county jail.

A “felony” is a more serious crime that may result in jail or prison time for more than 1 year.

What is an Expungement?

An “expungement” is the process of petitioning the court to have a criminal arrest or conviction erased from a person’s record for most civil purposes. Not all convictions are eligible for expungement and all expunged convictions are still included in a person’s criminal history for future criminal history computation.