What Should You Do When Arrested In West Palm Beach, FL?

Whether the police apprehended you for driving under the influence, shoplifting, or any other criminal offense, the steps you take after your arrest are absolutely critical to protecting your constitutional rights.

Once you are arrested, the essential thing to do is to remain quiet and request to speak with a West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney of your choice. Responding to the arresting officers while anxious could lead to the disclosure of some details that could hurt your case in court.

There are other steps you should take after an arrest to ensure your rights are protected. In this blog post, we discuss what happens after an arrest, and what you should do next.

The First 24 Hours After the Arrest

Within this period, you are taken for a booking at the Palm Beach County Jail and charged to remain in custody until the following day. In the morning, you are required to appear in court for the first appearance hearing. During this session, the judge examines the police reports to determine whether there was a justifiable cause of arrest. If there was, they determine if you qualify for a release. 

How Do You Qualify For Release?

After the first appearance hearing, there are several ways in which the judge can release you from custody. For example, you may be released on:

• Supervised release
• Your own recognizance
• House arrest
• A monetary bond

In many cases, criminal defendants can be released as long as they can pay the bond. However, a judge may also order another condition of release, such as supervision or house arrest in addition to paying the bond.

Can You Contract a Lawyer Before Your First Hearing?

Though not required, hiring a West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney to represent you at your first hearing is a good idea. Without an attorney present, the judge will simply review the charges against you and set a bond amount. A defense attorney can advocate on your behalf, presenting evidence of your employment status, community support system, family, and historically good behavior to reduce the bond amount or have you released without bond.

Hiring a criminal defense attorney is an important decision. Unfortunately, you do not have much time to meet with various attorneys before your first hearing. In some cases, an attorney can be hired for the limited purposes of representing you at a first hearing, providing you an opportunity to interview other law firms once you have been released.

When is Bond Denied?

According to the 2011 Florida Statutes, severe crimes like murder, drug peddling, domestic violence, and capital sexual battery are among the few cases that are not automatically bondable. Such offenses lead to further detention after the first appearance hearing, while the court conducts a thorough investigation to help determine your bail application.

Need a West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Attorney to Guide You Through Your First Appearance Hearing? We Can Help

If you have been arrested due to a criminal offense in Florida, The Law Offices of Salnick & Fuchs has your back. Please contact us online now or call us at 561-471-1000 to schedule a consultation.