There are many legal considerations and issues that a person might face before they are even arrested. In order to protect your rights in a pre-arrest situation, check out the pages in this section of our website.
Police and Search Warrants
First, consider situations where you might have to deal with the police and search warrants. Search warrants are needed in many situations if the police want to conduct a search. The search warrant protects citizens’ rights and protects them from unlawful searches. You can learn about searches of your person on this page and when a warrant is/is not necessary.
Also consider when the police can or cannot search your home. Do police officers always need a search warrant to get into your home? You can find out on this page. Another place where you might be subject to a search by the police is at your office. If you are at work, can the police come search your office or desk? Or can your boss search through your things? We discuss these issues on this page.
Another very common type of search that we see is the automobile search. Oftentimes a police officer will pull someone over for something simple, such as speeding, but then they will try to search the vehicle. There are some situations where a search is allowed, particularly if you give consent. In other situations, the police officer needs a warrant to search your vehicle. We cover automobile searches on this page.
Finally, when can the police search your smartphone? You likely have a lot of sensitive material on your phone, including private messages, passwords, search history, and more. Can the police just take your phone? Find out here.
Legal Terms and Rights
Having a solid understanding of some basic legal terms can also help you through a pre-arrest situation or a run-in with the law. We have several guides to legal terms on our website. Learn more about definitions and terms here. Also check out our crimes definitions page, as well as this crime chart that shows some definitions and penalties for Connecticut crimes.
Also make sure that you know your rights if you have a run-in with the police. Review the Bill of Rights as well as the Miranda Rights to make sure that your rights are protected.
Hiring a Lawyer
If you are concerned that you will be arrested for a crime, it is best to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible. Check out our page on when to hire a lawyer for more information on the right time to hire. Next, consider who you should hire to defend you for a criminal situation in Connecticut. Not all lawyers are the same. On this page, you can learn more about how to find a lawyer who can provide the best help for your situation. Finally, review our page on how to hire a lawyer for some additional tips.
Facing a pre-arrest situation can cause a lot of anxiety because you don’t know what will happen next. Feel free to contact our office with any questions that you have. We are happy to help you during this difficult time.
