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.