No one relishes being arrested. Being taken into police custody can be equal parts stressful, frightening and financially strenuous. Additionally, as any law enforcement professional can attest, the manner in which you conduct yourself can have a profound impact on the overall experience. While there’s no upside to being arrested, failing to behave in an appropriate manner stands to make things substantially worse for you. With this in mind, take the following rules to heart the next time you find yourself in police custody.
Remain Calm
It isn’t difficult to see why so many people panic or react with anger in response to being arrested. Being taken into custody is highly conducive to stress, and people who are unable to keep their cool in bad situations are unlikely to take an arrest in stride. However, as difficult as it may be, it behooves you to remain calm throughout your arrest. The more panicked you become, the more problems you’re likely to cause for both yourself and the arresting officers. It’s particularly important to avoid physical resistance, as this is liable to result in personal injury and additional charges. This may also be viewed as assault, and assaulting police officers carries very serious consequences. When facing arrest, the absolute last thing you want to do is make the situation worse for yourself – and remaining calm is the most effective way to avoid this.
Be Polite
No matter how angry or frightened you are in response to your arrest, you’ll need to conduct yourself with courtesy and maintain a sense of politeness. If you have any questions for the arresting officers, take care to ask them in a calm, courteous manner instead of becoming combative or demanding answers. The more respect you show them, the more you’re likely to receive. As is the case with resisting arrest, being disrespectful to police officers won’t do you any favors when you’re in front of a judge. Conversely, taking the situation in stride and being as cooperative as possible may ultimately help your chances at leniency.
Arrange Bail
It stands to reason that you’ll want to get out of jail as expediently as possible. However, if you and your family are unable to afford bail, you’ll require the assistance of a bail bondsman. Most bondsmen will help you post bail in exchange for a percentage of the total amount – usually 10%. When searching for bail bonds in Huntington Beach, keep an eye out for bondsmen who are accommodating, easy to work with and sympathetic to your plight. The sooner you find a dependable bondsman, the sooner you can go home and await your trial date.
Being arrested can be a tremendously stressful experience for both you and the people you care about. No matter how resilient you are, an arrest is liable to leave you confused and frightened. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can make the process less daunting. Following the previously discussed rules of conduct can help ensure that you get through your next arrest with your safety, dignity and personal finances intact.