How To Help A Friend Who Has Been Arrested

When a loved one is arrested, it can be a terribly frightening and stressful time for everyone involved. When this happens, it’s common to experience a wave of intense emotions that could lead to rash decisions that make the situation much worse for the person concerned.

Whether it’s a member of your own family or a close friend, knowing what to do in the event of an arrest can help you keep your composure. Read on to find out exactly what you should do. 

Photo by Kindel Media

Be Respectful 

If you are there when the arrest is made, be polite. Be respectful to the police at all times. You can, of course, ask them questions as long as you don’t get in the way of them doing their jobs. When asked nicely, most officers are happy to give out basic information.

When you have this information, such as why your friend or relative is being arrested, you can move on to other steps. If you’re not sure what is happening, you’ll be a lot more frantic and confused, and you might miss out on an important element of the situation. The more you can find out there and then, the better. 

Not only should you ask what the charge is they are being arrested for, but you should also find out where they are being taken. Otherwise, you might find they are taken away, and you don’t know where to go to help them with the next steps. 

Reassure Your Loved One 

Reassuring your loved one is a big part of helping them after they’ve been arrested. If you can talk to them before they are taken to jail, tell them not to answer any questions that don’t have to do with basic information like their name and date of birth. Assure them that you will try to get them out of jail as soon as possible and help them find a good criminal defense lawyer.

It’s crucial to be available at all times. Make sure your phone is charged, switched on, and that you have it with you. When your loved one gets to jail, they should be able to call you. If they are moved to a different place, they should be able to call again.

Find A Great Lawyer

If someone close to you has been arrested, you should seek the advice of a criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible. Inform them of everything you know about their whereabouts and arrest, including the arrest number. In the event that law enforcement wants to question the detainee or put them in a lineup, the attorney can travel there immediately to meet with the client. In fact, the sooner a lawyer can get to your loved one, the better, as the wheels will need to be put in place whether they are formally charged or not. 

If you’re not sure how to find a criminal defense lawyer, don’t worry. You can search online to find one that has all the necessary credentials to help your loved one. Although time will be of the essence, you shouldn’t just pick the first lawyer you come across; you have to make sure they can do what they need to, and that means checking their reviews and reading through their website to find out more. 

Don’t Bring Them Food Or Drink

Suspects in detention are provided with meals and unlimited water on a regular basis. Only in extreme cases, such as for religious or medical reasons, are they permitted to bring in outside food. 

Although you will want to help your loved one if they are detailed, it’s not worth bringing in anything for them, as it will probably not be allowed. Instead, your presence and reassurance can be the best thing, as this will help them stay calmer and pay attention to what is happening around them and to them. 

Post Bail

You’ll want to get a friend or family member out of jail as soon as possible, and this might mean you’ll have to pay bail. If you don’t know, bail is the sum of money a judge orders a prisoner to put up before they may be released from jail. You can either pay it personally, or get a surety bond from a bail bonds company that does it for you, which will be your only option if the cost is too expensive. 

When you post bail for someone, this does not mean they are free or no longer going to court. It simply means they can leave jail. There will be many stipulations on them, and they must be available to go to court or be questioned when asked.