Having read the title of this article, you may be wondering how it could possibly apply to you. Indeed, only criminals need to worry about being arrested. Right?
As a criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas for over 20 years, believe me when I tell you, good people get arrested. Regular people who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Normal people who come to Las Vegas to celebrate a special event that gets out of hand. And people who are arrested because of mistaken identity, some who are arrested because their identity was stolen by a criminal.
For these reasons and many more, it is critical you make some simple preparations for the unlikely event you are arrested in Las Vegas. The same as if you were preparing for any unforeseen event. This is Part 3 of the 10 Part Legal Series, Las Vegas Arrest and here are 5 Things You Must Prepare before being arrested in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Arrest Part 3: 5 Things You Must Prepare
- Las Vegas Arrest Tip 1: Memorize a Phone Number
- Las Vegas Arrest Tip 2: Have a Contact Person
- Las Vegas Arrest Tip 3: Prepare an Information Sheet
- Las Vegas Arrest Tip 4: Research an Attorney
- Las Vegas Arrest Tip 5: Remember Your Rights
Las Vegas Arrest Tip 1: Memorize a Phone Number
When you are booked into jail, your personal property will be taken. This includes your mobile phone with ALL OF YOUR PHONE NUMBERS. How many phone numbers do you have memorized? Today most of us save numbers into our phones and forget them. When you are in jail, you will have access to a jail phone. Unfortunately it does not have any saved numbers. If you do not have any phone numbers memorized, you will have no one to call. Sure you can call a bail company, but they are going to need the number of someone to pay for your bail. Save yourself some misery and memorize the number of at least one person you can call. Memorize my number; you can call me directly day or night at 702-280-7715. That is 702-280-7715. Memorize my number and call me when you are in jail. You will be glad you know it.
Las Vegas Arrest Tip 2: Have a Contact Person
Once you have been arrested, getting out of jail is a complicated and time consuming process. For most people, the fastest way out of jail is to have a bond posted for your bail. Working with a bail bond company takes time and money. Things you can’t provide while in jail. Not to mention the fact that someone needs to hire an attorney, tell your employer what happened, pickup your car from the location where you were arrested, feed your dog, water your plants, and do a dozen other things you cannot because you are in jail. Having a relative or friend who is ready and willing to help you will greatly improve your situation. Talk it over with someone you trust so you have someone to call in the middle of the night. If you have no one to call, please call me at 702-280-7715. I can get you bailed out, but I do not feed dogs.
Las Vegas Arrest Tip 3: Prepare an Information Sheet
You may think that every fact about your life is already posted on the internet. Unfortunately, that last post about how many shots of caramel you had in your latte will not help you in jail. The bail bond company is going to want to know real facts, like where you work, what your job title is, and how long you have been working there. They are also going to want to know your home address and how many years you have lived there. If a friend is trying to help you, they are going to need to be able to answer all these questions. They are also going to need the phone numbers of your boss and your mom to tell them what happened. A clear and detailed document should include: your full legal name, your home address, your place of employment, phone numbers and contact information for your employer, family, and close friends, the phone number of your attorney or an attorney you would like to use, as well as other important information. Prepare the document and make sure your contact person has a copy.
Las Vegas Arrest Tip 4: Research an Attorney
On TV, high powered business people always have a lawyer ready to meet them down at the station. Most people though don’t think about hiring an attorney until something happens. Unfortunately, it is very hard to research the best attorney while you are in jail. Just like choosing an insurance agent, accountant, or doctor, it is important to thoroughly research a lawyer before something happens. Lawyers can be researched through the State Bar of Nevada and rating services such as Martindale-Hubbell. When choosing a criminal defense attorney, you want to consider years of practice, legal experience, trial experience, and record of representation. I have over 20 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about criminal law in Nevada. Once you have chosen an attorney, give the attorney’s name and phone number to your contact person and record it on your information sheet in case something happens.
Las Vegas Arrest Tip 5: Remember Your Rights
Good preparation will make you ready for the worst case scenario that you do get arrested. All your preparation will be pointless though, if you forget your rights. Remember that you have the Right to Remain Silent. Everything you say to the police will be used against you in court. This right doesn’t end once you are in custody. Everything you say to the intake officers and corrections officers at the jail will be used against you as well. You may be asked several times by different officers to make a statement. Continue to remain silent and ask to speak to an attorney. Also be aware that your conversations will be recorded. Everything you say in the police car may be recorded. Every phone call you make from the jail will be recorded. Be respectful to all officers and remain silent until you speak with an attorney.
Preparation is the key to surviving any unplanned event, even being arrested in Las Vegas. If you have any further questions about choosing a Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer or need any legal advice, please call me directly on my cell phone at 702.280.7715 or email me at pat@lvbestdefense.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
The Las Vegas Arrest series continues with Part 4: 5 Things You Must Know About Your Right to Remain Silent when arrested in Las Vegas. This is Las Vegas criminal defense attorney Pat McDonald, thank you for reading the Las Vegas Criminal Defense Blog.
About Attorney Pat McDonald