How To Avoid Being
Arrested
Try to avoid violating the law. Stop
and think before you act. If you're in doubt about the legality of an
act; ask. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, BUT USE IT ANYWAY! Try
to stay away from suspicious places and circumstances. Watch the
company you keep. You can easily be arrested if you're with someone who
commits a crime. It all depends on the crime and the circumstances.
We're not talking about your guilt or innocence, or right from wrong.
We're talking about how not to get arrested in the first place, thereby
avoiding fees to attorneys, bail bond agents, loss of time on
your job, or even loss of your job.
DRIVING
Don't drink
and drive! know what driving offenses in your state or community can
get you arrested. Reckless driving or second convictions of other
violations could get you arrested. Avoid drunk driving or anything else
that can get your vehicle impounded. Police officers may
legally "inventory" and make a list of all property in the
vehicle. You can be charged with any contraband
found.
WEAPONS
Know the laws of your state concerning
weapons. Register weapons if it is required in your city or state. Know
what the laws are concerning the carrying of weapons on your person
or in your vehicle. Know what constitutes a weapon in your state. Brass
knuckles, nunchakus, Kung-Fu stars, chains, clubs or anything adapted
to be used as a club, and long knives may be illegal to carry. Firearms
or other weapons laying about inside your vehicle, or your
friend's vehicle, can get you arrested in many jurisdictions. It
may not matter if it's not your weapon. If it's within your reach
you may be subject to arrest. A weapons offense may be a misdemeanor in
one part of town and a felony a block away! Carrying weapons where
alcoholic beverages are sold or served, on school grounds, or other
locations may constitute a more serious
charge.
DRUGS
Keep your prescription drugs in the proper,
labeled container. Do not dump all your different prescription
drugs in one container. If you give a police officer a chance
to notice such a package, you're asking for a very long delay
in your schedule while things are checked out. Next to
traffic accidents, drugs in vehicles get more passengers in
trouble than just about anything. Example: It's midnight and you
are riding as a passenger your friend's car. He is stopped by the
police for speeding. He reaches into the center console where he keeps
his license. The officer shines his flashlight on the console to see
what your friend is reaching for, since this is not a normal location
for a driver's license. The officer see's a baggy of what turns out to
be an illegal drug next to the console. Your friend forgot it was
there, and you never saw it. It's closer to you than it is to your
friend. Your good friend says "that's not mine, officer". Where does
that leave you? The outcome of this case is not the subject of this
report. The purpose of this report is to prevent this scenario from
occurring. Know your friends! Check out vehicles that you
borrow.
WARRANTS
If you receive a ticket or are arrested and
found guilty, pay all fines and associated costs on time. If this is
not possible, ask for an extension. A warrant will be issued
for your arrest if you do not take care of traffic tickets on time,
or in the case of convictions, if you don't pay assessed fines. If
you're arrested and use the services of a bonding company or an
attorney, follow their instructions while you are waiting for your case
to be disposed of. You may be required to report weekly, prohibited
from leaving town, etc. during this time period. If you violate
these rules, the attorney or bonding company can cancel your
bond and a warrant for your re-arrest will be issued. Arrests
on warrants can come at the most embarrassing times, such as
at work, school, on a date, etc. And on top of all that, the bonding
company or attorney isn't going to give your money back and you'll have
to go through the whole ordeal again. Once you are charged with an
infraction or a crime, follow through with it in the proper manner.
Never ignore these things. They wont ever go away and they'll always
get worse.
DRINKING
The police don't like dealing with
sloppy, boisterous drunks any more than most people do. If you get
yourself in this condition in a public place you're asking for trouble.
If you get drunk in public, DON'T get involved in a disturbance. The
drunk tank is the universal solution to disturbances involving drunks.
If you're the type that gets drunk and rowdy, take a designated
driver/caretaker along with you. Someone who will promise the police
that they'll take you home and lock you up for the night. This doesn't
always work, but it's worth a try.
RESISTING ARREST
Don't
ever push, shove, or hit a police officer! The police don't feel they
should be hit for doing their job any more than the store clerk,
doctor, or fireman. This will always get you a ride downtown. Remember;
help arrives quickly to these events. If you have a problem with an
officer, pursue it through the proper channels. Police administrators
don't want a problem officer around any more than you do.
Don't resist arrest. Demand to know why you're being arrested if you
haven't been told or don't understand. Resisting doesn't help your case
whether you're innocent or guilty of the original charge. You'll only
be adding another charge which means more money out of your pocket and
into the bondsman's.
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