Arrested. Now What?
Myrtle Beach Lawyers Offering Advice and Immediate Assistance
If you have been arrested, you have very little time to decide what to do next. You owe it to yourself to take an aggressive approach to your own defense. Finding an experienced, proven defense attorney to work with is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Contact McGougan Law Firm to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
What can you expect to happen in the near future now that you have been arrested on suspicion of a criminal offense such as DWI/DUI, a drug crime, a violent crime, a weapons violation or an alcohol-related crime? Many people can expect to experience some combination of the following steps in the criminal defense process.
- First, call your lawyer.
- If you are in jail, your attorney will meet you at the jail.
- If you desire to get out of jail on bond, your attorney will schedule a bond hearing right away.
- Your attorney will explain the most likely ways that you can obtain and post bond, if you do not have cash available.
- At a preliminary hearing you will be informed of the charges against you.
Further steps in your criminal defense will depend on your particular charges and circumstances. The steps you need to take next are a matter of urgent and very important discussion between you and your defense lawyer. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible, so you can intelligently pursue the best attainable outcome.
In the meantime, please help yourself!
- Do not talk to friends or family about the charges
- When you meet with your attorney, your friends and family will be asked to leave the room to protect your attorney-client privilege of confidentiality.
- If there is a victim, you should have no contact with the victim. You may be tempted to try to express regrets or clear up a misunderstanding. This type of communication should be handled only through your attorney.
In South Carolina, once you have posted bond, you will be asked to report to roll call at the courthouse on the first Friday of every month until the time of your hearing. If you have an attorney of McGougan Law Firm representing you, that lawyer can attend on your behalf. This can be very helpful if you live out of state and need to go on with your life. It is essential that you not miss roll call — or a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest.
Let an effective, experienced North Carolina and South Carolina criminal defense lawyer answer roll call for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation right away.
