What Can I Expect From the Arrest Process in Virginia Beach?

First the person is arrested which happens after the police officers have determined that they have enough probable cause to make the arrest. What constitutes probable cause is going to be different depending on the type of the charge. Once the person is arrested they will be read their Miranda Rights which are those rights you typically hear on TV which includes – the right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney, such as a criminal defense lawyer in Virginia Beach.

What Happens After An Arrest?

The next step is the arraignment where the person will be asked if they want to hire an attorney or see if they qualify for a public defender. If they do qualify for the public defender then they will be assigned one right then and there and if they want to hire an attorney that will be up to them to do on their own time, which isn’t hard to do. Most attorneys are present on the internet, and have their phone numbers and websites readily available to be found. You could ask around to see who your friends or collegues recommend. There are a lot of attorneys in this area; the difficult one is deciding which one is right for you.

At the arraignment the defendant is formally charged and a date is chosen for the hearing. Before the hearing the defendant’s attorney will look through all of the evidence against the client and build the case based on that. The entire trial process ends when the defendant either pleads guilty and is sentenced or the defense attorney fights the charges at the trial.

Remember, You are not formally charged until you get to the arraignment.

If Someone is Charged With a Crime in Virginia Beach What is The First Thing That The Person Should Do?

The first thing that person should do is exercise their rights to remain silent. Everyone has heard the Miranda Rights on TV and in movies and yet for some reason people seem to forget all about them when they are placed in a situation where they really should take them to heart. If they do decide to say something the only thing that they should say is, “I would like to speak with an attorney.”

What If They Do Not Live in Virginia Beach?

If someone lives in another part of Virginia or even in another state they should make plans to travel back to Virginia Beach for court for their hearings. Failing to appear is a charge in itself. They should also get a local attorney as soon as possible to assist them in building their defense and to help them navigate the local court system.