Being placed under arrest can be a stressful time for you and your loved ones.

When you are the subject of a North Carolina arrest, it’s important to seek legal advice from a licensed attorney in the state.

But here’s some general North Carolina arrest advice you can’t ignore.

Stay Calm

It’s important to remember that when you are placed under arrest, you need to stay calm. However, depending on the severity of your charges, this can be easier said than done.

You need to stay calm in order to keep your composure during the arrest process.

After you are placed under arrest, it’s possible that you are searched before you get to jail, at the jail or both places.

This is a normal part of the arrest booking process after a North Carolina arrest.

Right to Remain Silent

When you are placed under arrest, you have a right to remain silent.

This is the right not to speak with the police or someone acting on their behalf about the crime you are being arrested for.

It’s important that you remember not to speak with anyone about the circumstances for which you are being placed under arrest. This is because if you do, these statements may be able to be used against you.

Right to an Attorney

When you are arrested, you also have the right to have an attorney present for any questioning.

This should be read to you as part of the Miranda warnings you receive when you are taken into custody. These advise you of your rights to remain silent and to an attorney.

It’s possible that law enforcement asks you whether or not you will agree to speak with them about the crime you have been charged with.

When you invoke your right to have an attorney present, the police are not supposed to continue with questioning you.

Don’t Challenge the Charge Now

It’s also very important to remember that while you are being placed under arrest for a crime or crimes, now is not the time to dispute the charge(s).

Nor is it the time do it when you are booked into jail.

If there are legal defenses available to you, these are things for you to discuss with your attorney when he or she becomes available to you.

Arrest Warrants

In North Carolina, as in other states, it’s possible that there may be an outstanding warrant for your arrest.

For example, you could be pulled over as part of a routine traffic stop but there may be a warrant for your arrest related to some other offense.

In this instance, it’s possible that you are placed under arrest and taken to jail. This can occur regardless of what the original reason for your traffic stop was or your original police encounter.