When you get arrested by the police, or cross paths with the federal agencies such as the FBI, there are many things that could go wrong. Sometimes victims are harassed and, in other cases, they are not allowed to enjoy their rights throughout the interrogation or arrest process. Without a good Civil Rights Lawyer or experience in civil rights law, many people do not even notice their rights have been abused.
Right from the moment a law enforcement officer comes to arrest you, he or she should start with an introduction. This introduction should include their name and proper legal identification. After this, the officer should explain to you any reasons for arrest and, where required, proof of an arrest warrant. First time victims often do not understand their rights, and the arresting officers on the other hand, may exploit this ignorance.
Checklist When Getting Arrested
1. Denial of your right to stay silent
2. Failure to inform you about your rights
3. Interrogation in the absence of your attorney against your will
4. Inhumane treatment by arresting officer
5. Unfair prolonged incarceration without contacting an attorney
When an officer comes to arrest you, you have the right to stay silent, regardless of their questions. They are not allowed to extract any information from you against your will. They should also inform you of your right to silence and that anything you say might be used against you in a court of law.
Failure to inform you about your rights is a civil rights violation. Any arresting officer must inform you of your rights besides making sure they do not violate those rights. In many instances, the victim faces some questions from the arresting officers, but this should only happen when the victim agrees with the questioning.
Once arrested, it is wrong for the government to hold you in custody for more than 48 hours without formally charging you with a crime . This applies to everyone, even murder suspects. For other minor offenses, the duration is shorter and varies according to state. All this information can be obtained by talking to a reputable Civil Rights Lawyer such as Zaloba Edward, who has been in practice for over 30 years.
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