An arrest is the process by which a person is taken into custody, usually by police officers. The Constitution’s Fourth Amendment states that police can only deprive someone of their liberty if they have probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and that the suspect is the perpetrator. This requirement restrains the police from random roundups of suspects and tries to prevent the type of unfair or unjustified arrest that many people experience.
When officers have probable cause to arrest you, they must contact a parent or guardian as soon as possible and explain the situation. They must also inform you that you have a right to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions. This is known as your Miranda warning. It is important that you exercise this right to a lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest, so that they can quickly and efficiently investigate any flaws in the procedure and find out if it has been done improperly.
During an arrest, you may be held in jail for some time. The amount of time can vary depending on the nature of your case and how busy the police precinct is. During this time, you will be questioned and given a date to appear in court, which is called an arraignment.
When you are arrested, resisting or fighting with the police can make matters worse for you. This is especially true if you retaliate or use violence. You should try to be calm and not resist, but always keep in mind that you have the right to a criminal defense attorney.