top of page
  • Facebook

What to do if you are arrested

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

Download your constitutional rights card

Resources

Protect your future.

A DUI conviction can have lasting ramifications. You could go to jail. You could lose your right to drive. This could result in losing your job and your means to support your family. Your insurance rates will go up. With all of that on the line, it is important that you have the aid of tenacious legal team that will attack the evidence against you to get the best possible result.

Under Kentucky and Illinois law even simple possession of certain drugs can be classified as a felony offense. Conviction of a felony offense can lead to being prohibited from certain jobs, the right to vote, the right to own or possess a firearm, and other legal and social ramifications. If you have been charged with drug trafficking or possession, it is important that you hire an attorney to protect you as soon as possible.

Kentucky has some of the most permissive gun laws in the country. However, when you run afoul of the law and a weapon is involved, the punishments can be severe. All of our attorneys are all gun owners themselves and have regularly presented on issues affecting gun owners’ rights.

Homicide, murder, rape, and sodomy are just a few of the many different violent crimes covered under Kentucky and Illinois law. These crimes also carry some of the harshest penalties which could result in the permanent loss of your freedom or even your life.

The offense most often involves a spouse or romantic partner, but could also involve actions taken against a former partner with whom you share a child or any person related to you by blood or marriage. Domestic violence charges may be accompanied by related charges for offenses such as stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, rape, sexual abuse, or elder abuse. Our office’s extensive background in family law makes us particularly well-suited assisting those who have been charged or falsely accused of domestic violence.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

A criminal conviction can cost you your family, your job, your license, or possibly even your life. No one in the system is on your side. You need someone who will be there to defend you and your future. Who you hire to defend you can make a difference. Our attorneys have represented countless individuals charged with driving under the influence (DUI), drug offenses, violent crimes and murder in Kentucky and Illinois in both state and federal court. Do not wait another minute to start building your defense and protecting your future.

There are two sides to every story...

You want Alford Law on YOURS.

DWI

DRUG

VIOLENT CRIME

DUI

DOMESTIC

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ARRESTED

1.

You do not have to talk to the police.

You have the right to remain silent and you should exercise it. Many times, we have been able to help our clients successfully avoid harsh sentences by the simple fact that our client kept their mouth shut.

2.

You have the right to a lawyer.

If you are confronted by the police, demand to have your lawyer present. You must do this unequivocally saying things like “I think I need a lawyer,” or “Should my lawyer be here for this?” are not enough. You must clearly say “I decline to make any statement or answer any questions without my lawyer present.” Then you stay quiet until your lawyer gets there.

3.

You do not have to consent to search.

You have the right to be secure in your person and possessions. Police oftentimes will ask if they can have permission to search you or your vehicle when they really have no articulable suspicion any crime is being or has been committed. You do not have to give them permission and you should not give them permission. Even if you think you have nothing to hide, there is no reason for the officer to ask to search you, your house or your car.

4.

Be courteous and polite, but firm.

Invoking your rights can be scary. Oftentimes, when police are confronting someone, tensions are very high. Do everything you can to avoid escalating matters. That being said, you should still invoke your rights. When you do so, be very respectful, be very polite, but be very firm.

5.

You do not have to cooperate with the police.

Defendants are told all the time, “if you just cooperate with us, things will go much easier on you.” This is almost never, ever true. All the defendant winds up with is making the prosecution’s job easier. If the police tell you that by invoking your rights, they will go get a warrant, let them try. If they tell you that “a lawyer will not help you, they will just complicate things,” they are right a good lawyer will complicate things for them and that is what you want.

bottom of page