Criminal Laws in Phoenix
What NOT to Do or Say if Approached or Detained by Phoenix Police
While the average person knows what to do in a medical emergency, most people are painfully unaware of how to handle legal emergencies. Although criminal law and criminal defense in Phoenix, Arizona are often difficult and complex, avoiding a few common mistakes can go a long way toward protecting your rights and ensuring the best success for your case.
Mistakes to avoid with police
You must avoid incriminating yourself from the moment police stop you. Be sure you avoid these common errors:
- Speaking freely: Individuals who are innocent of any wrong-doing often believe they can clear up the matter by answering all police questions and generally attempting to defend themselves. Before an arrest, your statements cannot be used against you in court, but they can provide information that may help the investigation against you. By all means, be polite—but do not make any statements without criminal defense attorneys in Phoenix at your side
- Agreeing to a search: In general, police are not permitted to search your property without a search warrant. However, complicated rules allow warrantless searches in many cases. You do not need to know the law—you just need to know that, if they ask your permission to search, it means they have no legal right to perform a search. Your permission extends this legal right to police when no other grounds exist. Do not agree to a search
- Waiving your right to an attorney: As of the moment of an arrest, police read Miranda rights to you to protect your Constitutional rights to remain silent and to an attorney. Even innocent individuals need an attorney—you cannot handle a criminal defense in Phoenix by yourself
- Ignoring the advice of your attorney: Recognize that experienced criminal defense lawyers in Phoenix know the big picture—they can anticipate the potential negative results of anything you say or do. Do not attempt to pick and choose the advice you follow. Stick to the instructions of your attorney to the letter
How Phoenix criminal defense lawyers can help
A skilled criminal defense lawyer helps clients through every phase of the criminal process, from arrest, through arraignment and trial, when applicable. Your attorney protects your rights, helps you build your defense, and can even negotiate for reduced charges to avoid a stressful courtroom trial. Thrush Law Group is a leading Arizona law firm with a track record of success and the resources needed to provide referrals to the most reliable bail bond agencies.
Lawyers on Your Side
