Have you or someone you know been arrested or charged for a criminal offence. At the law firm of Terrel A Butler & Associates we provide an excellent criminal defense lawyer that provides legal services that you can depend on.
Here is what you must do to protect yourself when detained by the police remain silent and call a criminal defense lawyer.
It is always best to hire a criminal defense lawyer right away to prevent violation of your legal and constitutional rights.
You have the right to remain silent! You have the right to legal representation!
How the process works.
The police can hold you in custody for up to 48 hours while they conduct their investigations. They may also request from the Commissioner of Police an extension of up to 96 hours. During that time you will be held in custody at the police station and your family will not be allowed to see you. It is important to have a criminal defense lawyer visit you while you are in police custody to ensure that you are not forced or promised anything to give an involuntary confession statement.
While in custody the police may request your permission to do an ID parade or other form of identification, They may request blood work from you to connect you to the crime or take you to the scene of the incident and sometimes conduct searches of your premises. Know your rights!
The police will request an interview with you to discuss the case which may be recorded and or taken down in writing used against you in evidence but they must first advise you of your rights.
If charged for a criminal offence you will be taken to the Magistrate's court for arraignment and then trial if you plead not guilty. Depending on the nature of the offences charged you may be tried either in the Magistrate's Court or the Supreme Court.
If you plead guilty to the offences charged you will be sentenced but you have no right to appeal conviction. A conviction means that you will have a criminal record which will prevent you from obtaining a clean police record. Call us today at Terrel A, Butler & Associates.
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