| When you’re arrested, your first | | | | other arrested persons to get to an interview table. At |
| contact will be with the local police precinct. The | | | | the interview table an intake person will ask you about |
| person who arrests you is the arresting officer. | | | | any health problems you may have and more |
| The arrest process can legally take up to three days | | | | identifying information, including: |
| (72 hours) before you see a judge for arraignment. | | | | - Persons to contact |
| Throughout this process, you must remain silent about | | | | - With whom you live |
| everything, except you can give basic information such | | | | - Where you work |
| as your name, residence, and other identifying | | | | - Your salary |
| information. But do not speak about anything else to | | | | - Your citizenship status |
| anyone, even the person who might be in the cell with | | | | - Where you were born |
| you. Always remain silent until your attorney speaks | | | | This information will later be used by your arraignment |
| with you because anything you say to nayone at this | | | | judge to determine if bail is required and the amount of |
| point can and will be used against you. | | | | bail you will pay. If you do not have any contacts in the |
| At the precinct, a detective will interview you | | | | state or locally or you travel alot or are not a citizen of |
| to get basic information (like your full name, present | | | | this country then you most likely will have to pay bail |
| address and family member contact information) and | | | | because you will be considered a flight risk. |
| possibly try to get information from you to use as | | | | The best thing you can do is get an attorney |
| evidence against you. Do not say anything except give | | | | to meet you at your arraignment. You can do this at |
| your basic identification. The detective may ask you | | | | Central Booking, where there are pay phones. Call an |
| for contact information of your family or friends who | | | | attorney, or call your family, friends or anyone else |
| can verify who you are and where you live. If you | | | | who can get you an attorney that day. That call will be |
| provide your home number or other numbers then the | | | | short because there are hundreds of other people |
| arresting officer may call your family or friends to | | | | waiting to use the phone. Just tell whomever you call: |
| verify your information. He may even ask further | | | | - The precinct you came from |
| information about you that may incriminate you later. | | | | - Where you are now |
| You should be careful what numbers you give out and | | | | - The charges against you or what you believe you |
| at least call the person who you may refer to the | | | | were arrested for |
| police first and let them know just to verify who you | | | | - To get as much cash as possible |
| are and nothing else. | | | | - To bring proof of home ownershi, like a deed |
| While you are at the precinct, the police will definitely | | | | - To contact at least three bail bondsmen from the |
| run a check on you to discover if you committed other | | | | phone book in the area you were arrested in (in order |
| crimes or if outstanding warrants exist for your arrest. | | | | to arrange for bail quickly) |
| This information is also needed for the arresting officer | | | | With your arrest location, precinct information |
| to fill out the paperwork to get you through the arrest | | | | and last name, a good attorney will be able to track |
| process and to the arraignment court. | | | | you down using special contact numbers to the District |
| The police will fingerprint you and take arrest photos. | | | | Attorney’s office and Central Booking (where |
| Then the arresting officer will make a file for you from | | | | your arrest number and docket number can be |
| the information he obtains from you, prints, photos and | | | | obtained). |
| his notes. He will then fax the file to the District | | | | At some point you and a group of about 10 others |
| Attorney’s office so they can draft a criminal | | | | from your cell will be brought upstairs. This means the |
| complaint against you and assign your case file a | | | | District Attorney finished the paperwork and assigned |
| docket number. | | | | a docket number to your file so you can be |
| You’ll sit in the precinct jail cell an average | | | | arraigned. If your attorney has been tracking you |
| of six hours until they can arrange transportation for | | | | through the system then he or she will know when to |
| you to another place called Central Booking. | | | | start traveling to the arraignment court to appear for |
| Whenever they transport you they will handcuff you, | | | | you so you do not have to wait longer. |
| so be prepared to cooperate and go through the | | | | This article is certainly not all inclusive and is intended |
| motions. | | | | only as a brief explanation of the legal issue presented. |
| At Central Booking | | | | Not all cases are alike and it is strongly recommended |
| The Central Booking process can take about | | | | that you consult an attorney if you have any questions |
| four hours. You’ll wait in line with hundreds of | | | | with respect to any legal matters. |