There are many reasons that you might end up getting arrested—perhaps you participated in a protest, were falsely or truthfully accused of a crime, or violated your probation terms. Whatever the reason you’re being taken to jail, it’s essential that you know how to conduct yourself to achieve the best possible outcome.
Be polite and respectful to the cops, even if they’re not being nice to you
You know the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don’t forget that it applies in jail—though it can be hard to remember during such a stressful situation.
The reason treating the cops well is recommended is that they can make life much more difficult for you if you get on their bad side. They can delay procedures as you make it through the justice system and a few hours in jail can easily turn into days. They could wait to fingerprint you, delay transporting you from the precinct to the courthouse, and they could say that they don’t have time to do your paperwork before leaving for the day, making it so you have to stay overnight instead of a few hours.
If you’re courteous with all the cops, you’ll find that while your time in jail still won’t be pleasant, it’ll likely at least be shorter.
Here are some straight-shooting rules for your interactions with cops:
- Refrain from swearing and yelling.
- Take deep breaths and try to respond, not react, to their questions.
- Don’t let how they treat you be how you treat them. No retaliation. It’s incredibly hard, but so beneficial.
Zip those lips
Don’t answer any questions that you don’t have to because cops can record conversations and can use them as evidence out of context. They can also lie, manipulate, and trick you into saying what they want to hear. As respectfully and calmly as you can, just say that it’s not personal, but you’d prefer having your attorney present. It may seem to defeat the point mentioned above, but it’s a way to protect yourself and your case from being negatively impacted.
An important exception: answer all questions they need to process you, including name, address, and sometimes a social security number. Refusing to answer these questions will only delay your process further.
Read the room
When you’re in a jail holding area, you’ll likely be stuck in with a handful up to hundred of people. Try to read what the vibe is when you go in and don’t mess it up.
If possible, make friends
That means that if you notice that someone looks friendly and might appreciate half of your baloney sandwich, extend the offer. Maybe you’ll start chatting about your exploits and make a new friend. Making friends is advantageous because they could bring updates on what’s going on outside if they came in after you (in the case of a protest), offer protection from violent or mentally unstable other people, and maybe if it’s crowded, you can take turns sitting down.
But don’t push it.
If people seem to be mostly off to themselves, not interested in talking, go along with it. Don’t rock the boat, especially because there could be hardened criminals, drunk people, or psychologically emotionally unstable people who are going to be locked up for a long time in there—you don’t want to risk pissing them off.
Call an attorney ASAP
The best attorney in Southern California is Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell. He is an experienced, driven criminal defense attorney who will do everything possible to represent your case well and either prove your innocence or secure the lightest possible penalty. Call 909-920-0908 for an initial consultation today.
