Boston law enforcement in May arrested a man after he allegedly fired several rounds at officers. Fortunately, neither the man nor any law enforcement officers were injured in the event. The police received reports of a man threatening people with a firearm, and when they confronted the man, he fled toward Chester park.
The suspect ended up firing his weapon to lock-back, which means he emptied of all the ammunition from a firearm. Even after law enforcement apprehended the man, he violently struggled to get free. The suspect now faces several charges including assault with intent to murder.
Getting arrested is a scary process. Any mistakes that you make during this process can end up jeopardizing the future of your case. Many people, however, instinctively panic during an arrest. The following are some critical mistakes to avoid during an arrest because they will likely harm your case.
Admitting Incriminating Details
In accordance with the Constitution, a person has the right against self-incrimination. If a law enforcement officer inquires about how an offense occurred, you are not obligated to answer that question. Afforded by the Fifth Amendment, you have the right to keep quiet following an arrest. Law enforcement officers are known to utilize various strategies to extract information from those in custody, which includes lying to you so that you will admit to a criminal offense.
Trying to Resist Arrest
If law enforcement tells you that you are under arrest and you try to resist or elude them, you can quickly end up facing additional charges. You can also face charges if you push, shove, or in any way assault a law enforcement officer. Instead, if you are told that you are under arrest, the best strategy is to simply comply.
Acting as Your Own Lawyer
If you are arrested, it can be easy to think that communicating personally with the police is the best step that you can take. In actuality, this is a mistake. If you speak to law enforcement without an attorney present, the chances are high that you will end up doing or saying something that will damage your case. Remain silent until your attorney arrives, and then only have a conversation with your lawyer.
Over-Explaining
People who think that they were wrongly arrested will often attempt to explain a situation before law enforcement even begins questioning. You should avoid the urge to explain your situation to the police. Whatever you say during an arrest can later be used against you. Instead of over-explaining, you should avoid the urge to offer up any unnecessary information.
Speak with an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
Being arrested is a frightening process, and it is common for the anxiety and stress to end up clouding your judgment. If you need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney, do not hesitate to contact attorney Edward R. Molari.