What Should I Know
The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf are committed to seeking justice for adults and children accused of serious crimes. If you face arrest or accusations, know your rights. Here are some terms and concepts you should know:
Arrest: The process of being taken into custody by a law enforcement officer with probable cause. A law enforcement officer must see you commit a misdemeanor in order to arrest you on the scene; however, probable cause is enough in felony cases.
Arrest warrant: If you are at your own home, a law enforcement officer must usually have an arrest warrant in order to take you into custody. You should ask to see the warrant if it exists. Know that once a warrant is issued, any law enforcement officer in the state may arrest you at any time; arrest warrants do not typically expire.
Bail: Bail is an amount of money or security that is given to the court in order ensure that you will appear and not flee. The amount of bail is typically set by a judge and depends on the severity of charges and other factors.
Lawyer: A lawyer is a professional authorized by law to advise you legally and represent your interests in court. It is advised that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible after your arrest. Your California criminal lawyer will be present at all questioning and will help you maintain your legal rights and fight for your innocence. If you can’t afford a lawyer, the Public Defender’s office in your jurisdiction will provide counsel. However, this should be a last resort.
Miranda rights: An officer must read you your Miranda rights (including the right to remain silent and the right to avoid self-incrimination) before you are questioned during an arrest.
Search: An officer may search you or your property in three cases: if you agree to a search, if he presents a valid search warrant, or if there is probable cause that you committed a felony. You should respectfully refuse any search that does not involve a warrant or probable cause, putting off the search until your lawyer is present.
Questioning: You should realize that if you submit to questioning without a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer present during an arrest, you could compromise your case since all answers can be used against you in court. It is a good idea to politely refuse questioning until you call your lawyer.
Your California criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the legal process while protecting your rights in and out of court. Since time frames for criminal cases are short, time is of the essence when seeking a good attorney. For over 40+ years, the lawyers of the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have committed themselves to proving the innocence of their clients. Could you benefit from their experience and expertise? Call today for a free case evaluation.
