Your mind can pretty much run wild when someone you love gets arrested. You might panic, become disoriented, scared, or agitated simultaneously. All these are normal emotions and feelings considering that you might have to deal with the court system—a daunting task.
However, you can do a couple of things to ease your stress and anxiety, and help your loved one get out as soon as possible.
Stay Calm and Ask for Relevant Details
Staying calm in your body language, words, emotions, and thoughts can be challenging. Nonetheless, keeping a level head and calming your loved one is crucial.
And so, be sure to use kind words, and collect relevant details, including their charges, the location at which they’re detained, and how you can contact them. If you were at the arrest scene, ask the officers if they have a warrant and the court’s name that issued it (if applicable). You can also film the transpiring events for later use.
Contact an Attorney
Immediately after learning about the arrest, contact an expert criminal defense attorney. Dealing with an attorney from the onset will help disrupt custodial questioning and protect the legal rights of your loved one. Besides, they can help increase the odds of winning since they understand the laws and your loved ones’ rights, and will fight on their behalf.
Thus, a competent attorney should endeavor to meet you and your loved one. They should also be present should law enforcement ask questions or present them in a lineup.
Show Up During the Arraignment
In most states, your loved one can get full processing and arraignment before a judge or a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT). The latter is usually preferable since they’ll have a direct release and a slip indicating their preliminary court appearance.
In contrast, with full processing of arraignment, they’ll have to make a court appearance—here’s where you need to show up.
During the arraignment, the judge will read the charges against them, in which case, they’ll either prove guilty or not guilty. The judge might release them on recognizance or initiate bail discussions.
These discussions will involve determining whether they’re a flight risk or a danger to their communities. Thus, their crime’s severity and criminal history will detect the bail amount.
Consider Bailing Them Out
If you’re financially sound, you can always pay for the bail amount. However, when you need a boost, you need to contact a reputable and efficient bail bond company, LA Bailbondsman.
These companies, or sometimes individuals, post bail for your loved one on your behalf. They might require some collateral or 10% of the amount. Bail Hotline, a Riverside Bail Bonds company, uses the latest cutting-edge technologies to provide a seamless disbursement of funds. Your loved one doesn’t have to sleep one more night in prison. With easy payment plans and zero collateral, you can get them out the same day of the arraignment.
It is, however, important to note that you shouldn’t be quick to post bail for your family member. Ask yourself first, whether they’ll comply with the bail terms and show up in their court proceedings. For instance, consider whether they’ll be wandering the streets if they weren’t in jail. Undoubtedly, you don’t want your loved one to be incarcerated for long. However, if a jail offers the safest alternative, consider whether paying for bail is worth it.
Remember that you’ll only get your money back (the initial 10%) if your loved one is fully compliant. And so, if you have doubts about their compliance, it’s best to speak to an attorney for legal advice.
Remain Supportive
While your loved one may be innocent or guilty, your feelings towards them shouldn’t change. Try to empathize with their situation and show support. Maintain contact with them and their lawyers. Encourage them every step of the way.
Undoubtedly, having your loved one arrested can be overwhelming. It could perhaps be one of the most difficult periods of your life. Rather than panicking, maintain your composure, collect relevant details and contact an experienced attorney for legal help and counsel. Also, if necessary, show up in court and find a reliable bail bonds company to get them out as soon as possible.
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
