When you’ve been arrested it can be confusing and hard to understand. It is important to know your rights so that you can avoid any further complications. Police officers are required to read a person their Miranda Rights. I’m sure you’ve heard them read on TV before “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an Attorney. If you cannot afford an Attorney, one will be provided for you”. You do have the right to waive these rights but it’s best to first understand what they are and their importance.
Miranda Rights
When you’ve been suspected of a crime and an officer places you under arrest, one of the first things that they must legally do is to read you your rights. These rights are known as the Miranda Rights. These include:
- The right to be silent
- The right to waive your right to remain silent and the knowledge that if you do, your answers can be used against you
- The right to stop answering questions at any time and consult with an attorney
- The right to talk to an attorney before answering any questions or signing anything
- The right to a court-appointment attorney if you cannot afford a private one
When a person is in custody, the police must clearly inform them that they have the right to remain silent and that anything the person says will be used against them. As listed above, they also must be informed that they have the right to consults with an attorney and to have that attorney present at the time of any questioning. These rights are a protection for people who are in custody and suspected of a crime, informing them of their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and their Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
You do have the right to waive these rights and agree to speak with the police without any attorney present. But remember that you can change your mind at any time if you no longer wish to answer any questions and wish to have an attorney present.
The main purpose of the Miranda rights is to make sure that those charged with a crime know their rights and are provided the opportunity to assert them.
Being arrested can be an extremely stressful and emotional time for a person which is why it is important to remember to remain as calm as possible to avoid any unnecessary charges. Remember that you always have the right to remain silent and cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions. If you wish to remain silent, be sure to make sure the arresting officer knows this by telling them loud and clear.
We at Mercy Bail Bonds are here to provide you with excellent service and information when you need it. If you have any questions or wish to discuss how we at Mercy Bail Bonds can help, please feel free to contact our office at (727)856-7775. We will take the time to walk you through every step of this process and answer any questions you might have.