What to Do After an Arrest

Fight Your Charges

Have you been arrested for a criminal offense in Ft. Lauderdale? The majority of individuals are not well-acquainted with criminal law and courtroom proceedings, but knowing what to expect will help you be prepared for the courtroom and the possibility of punishment. Even if you have been arrested before, every criminal case is different and the process will differ depending on the nature of your charges.

If you have been arrested and taken to jail, there are several steps that must happen before the authorities can release you. First, you must be booked into the criminal system and go through a bail hearing to determine how much you will have to pay to be set free. After you "post bail", you will be released from jail upon the understanding that you will appear at your court hearing. At this point, you should have already contacted a criminal defense attorney who can build a strong case and make sure your rights are protected.

Choosing the best defense lawyer for your case is one of the most important decisions you will make. You need an experienced and trustworthy defense attorney who will be 100% committed to you and your future. At Parks & Braxton, PA, our reputable team of defense lawyers understands what is at stake with your case. When you contact our firm, we immediately go to work for you so that you can have the best legal defense at your pretrial hearings. The outcome of most criminal cases depends on the pretrial motions and the hearings that accompany them.

The Steps of a Criminal Case

In order for law enforcement to legally conduct a search of you or your property, they must have probable cause. In some cases, this requires a search warrant. In other cases, they need only have a reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime.

Once the officer has decided they have cause to arrest you, they must read you your Fifth Amendment rights ("Miranda Rights"), which inform you of your right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present before you submit to any questioning. After your arrest, you will be processed and booked. Remember that during this time, you have the right not to incriminate yourself, which means that you should exercise your right not to speak to police or provide them with any information that they can use against you. Following your booking, a complaint will be filed with the court and an arraignment will be scheduled.

It is wise to have an attorney represent you at the arraignment. Bail will be set at this hearing, if it is an option. The bail amount will vary depending on your potential flight risk and the type of crime that you are being charged with. If there is evidence to support it, the judge may decide to levy further charges against you. Following the arraignment, you will proceed to the preliminary hearing, at which your lawyer may challenge the validity of your arrest. If your attorney can successfully demonstrate that your Fifth Amendment rights or other rights were violated during your arrest, the judge may decide to drop your charges. If not, the case will move forward to trial.

During the trial phase, a jury will be selected by both the defense attorney and the prosecutor. The trial commences with opening arguments, after which both sides will call upon witnesses and present evidence in support of their case. After debating the evidence, both sides will conclude with closing arguments and the jury will deliberate. In order for the accused individual to be convicted, the jury must unanimously find that the defendant is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” If the jury returns a “not guilty” verdict, the defendant is cleared of charges. If the jury returns a “guilty” verdict, the defendant will have an opportunity to appeal the conviction.

Help from a Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer

If your case is not resolved during a pretrial hearing or motion, you have the option of a plea bargain. A knowledgeable defense attorney from our firm can walk you through the pros and cons of a plea bargain so that you can make an educated decision about your case. Regardless of what you decide, we will always be prepared to take your case to the courtroom and vigorously defend your rights before a jury and a judge. With over 48 years of combined legal experience, our team never backs down from a fight. We have successfully handled thousands of cases and we are always available to take your call.