If your spouse gets arrested, it can be a stressful and confusing situation for you.
There could be a million questions in your head, and you could be confused about how to help your spouse. Legal matters are often complicated, and you must take steps to help your spouse without undermining their case.
Stay Calm
It is natural for you to feel negative emotions, including anger and anxiety, but it is vital to stay calm.
If you are present when your spouse is getting arrested, you should try to remain calm. Tell your spouse to comply with the police and give them confidence that you will get the help they require.
Even if you believe that the police are violating your spouse’s rights, you should remind your spouse not to resist arrest. As difficult as it might be to remain composed in such a situation, any act of aggression from you or your spouse could make matters worse.
Remind Your Spouse They Have the Right to Remain Silent
When an arrest is made, the police might ask your spouse various questions. According to attorney Chandon S. Alexander, you should remind your spouse to exercise their right to remain silent.
Unless your spouse has their attorney present, they should refrain from answering questions.
It is possible that your spouse was wrongly arrested, but what they say during or after the arrest could be used against them as evidence. Therefore, other than answering necessary questions, such as those related to their identity, it is best to refrain from saying anything.
Encourage your spouse to only talk to their attorney case and not engage in any conversation with the police.
Get in Touch with a Lawyer
Either hire an attorney for your spouse’s case or wait to get assigned a public defender through the court.
It is always better to choose your own defense attorney. Your spouse does have the right to represent themselves in court, but getting an attorney’s help in this situation is extremely important because it can increase your spouse’s chances of obtaining a fair verdict in the case.
The attorney can be present when the police question your spouse and prevent your spouse from revealing any information that can harm their case. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible is beneficial as it allows them to build a solid defense against the charges.
The attorney can also help you prepare for what to expect from the case and help you prepare accordingly.
Post Bail To Get Your Spouse of Jail
Your spouse’s attorney can also help you post bail. The longer your spouse stays in jail, the more pressure they would likely feel, which could force them to say something that hurts their case.
It can also be mentally and physically stressful to spend time in jail. Ask the police if you can post bail after your spouse’s arrest and what kind of bond would be required to get your spouse out on bail. Your attorney can guide you each step of the way.