Chronology: The Arrest Process

If you are arrested and taken to jail, your first concern is likely how to get out. But several things must happen before the authorities release you.

An arrest typically involves a booking process and a bail hearing to determine your release pending trial and setting the bail amount. You can post bail yourself or through a bail bond agent.

This article describes the arrest, booking, and bail process, which is the first step in a criminal case. It provides helpful information on how bail bonds work, who sets bail amounts, and how they can help secure a person's release from jail.

An Overview of the Arrest Process

An arrest occurs when someone's taken into police custody and can no longer leave or move about freely. A judge or magistrate may sign an arrest warrant upon showing probable cause in a criminal case. A warrant provides police legal authorization to place a suspect under arrest. Typically, police execute the warrant at the suspect's home.

When and how an arrest takes place is very important. People handcuffed and read their rights know they are under arrest. However, not everyone arrested is handcuffed or explicitly told they are under arrest. The court will exclude evidence if proper procedure is not followed or dismiss the case altogether.

Learn more about the arrest process, the basis for a legal arrest, challenges to unlawful arrests, the rights of those arrested, and other relevant issues.

Police Actions During an Arrest

If the police stop you, they may frisk you by performing a pat-down of your outer clothing to see whether you're concealing a weapon. Later, if you're arrested, they can perform a full-blown search of your person and immediate surroundings to ensure you don't have any weapons, stolen items, contraband, or evidence of a crime. If the police take possession of your car, it may be searched as well.

The police may take and secure your personal property or money after performing an inventory at the police station. The police will ask you to sign the inventory. You should only do so if you agree with the contents of the inventory.

Police Actions During the Booking Process

Once arrested, you're booked. During this part of the criminal process, the police will record information from the arrest, the type of charge (such as a misdemeanor or felony case) and record personal information into the police register.

The booking process includes basic information about yourself, such as your:

• Address and birthdate
• Fingerprints or handwriting sample
• Hair, saliva, or other DNA samples
• Photograph (mug shot)
• Lineup with other criminal defendants

State laws vary, but if you're detained but not booked within a reasonable period of time (usually several hours or overnight), your attorney may go to a judge and obtain a writ of habeas corpus. This is an order issued by the court instructing the police to bring you before the court to determine if you're being lawfully held.

The Booking Process at a Glance

After a legal arrest, a police officer will begin the "booking" process at the police station. Booking is an administrative process where law enforcement officers collect the suspect's personal information and organize evidence of the alleged crime.

The officer will record evidence, observations, and statements about the alleged crime. The officer will fingerprint and photograph the suspect. This process is more commonly known as taking a "mug shot." Lastly, police officers conduct a criminal background check, collect the suspect's personal property for storage until release, and place the suspect in a holding cell.

Bail and Other Preliminary Hearings

Some states combine the bail hearing with an arraignment. During an arraignment, the judge reads the defendant's criminal charges and asks how the defendant would like to plead. The defendant enters either a guilty or not guilty plea. Other jurisdictions allow a defendant to enter a plea of no contest. Next, a judge will determine whether to release a defendant before trial and set bail.

The purpose of bail is to ensure the following:

• An individual charged with a crime will willingly return for future court hearings
• A defendant released will not commit new crimes, intimidate victims or witnesses
• A defendant will not flee to another jurisdiction

Those accused of minor crimes, such as traffic violations, are cited and released. But all others arrested and charged with misdemeanor or felony crimes can argue for their release at a bail hearing.

Factors Considered During a Bail Hearing

At the bail hearing, a judge or magistrate examines the following factors to determine whether releasing the suspect would pose a threat to the safety of the community and their likelihood to appear at future court dates:

• The seriousness of the alleged crime
• The accused's criminal background
• The accused's financial resources
• The accused's length of residence and community connections

A judge will deny bail for defendants who pose a danger to the community or present a flight risk. The more severe the crime, the higher the amount of bail. Wealthy individuals may face higher bail amounts to ensure the bond is significant to the party paying. A judge sets bail after weighing these concerns.

Pre-Trial Release Conditions

If the alleged crime is not serious, the accused can show evidence that they pose no risk to the community and will make future court appearances. They're released "on their own recognizance" without having to post bail.

Other conditions placed upon release can include:

• Limits on travel in/out-of-state
• Periodic checks by an authority
• Court-ordered drug/alcohol testing
• Court-ordered drug/alcohol abstinence
• No contact with victims or witnesses

The various criminal procedures can overwhelm you and your family members. Posting bail, dealing with bondsmen, and penalties for violating conditions differ across states. If the court sets bail and you cannot immediately produce it, a bail bond agent may be necessary to secure your release.

Preliminary Hearings

A preliminary hearing is not held in every case where a "not guilty" plea is entered. Some states only conduct one if a felony is charged, not in misdemeanor cases. Other states use a "grand jury" process, and bail and arraignment are held at a later date.

The Post-Booking Process

Once you're arrested and booked, the appropriate prosecutor's office (such as the district attorney) decides whether to file charges. You have the right to a speedy trial, which usually means the prosecutor must file any charges within 72 hours (48 hours in some states). The initial charging decision does not bind a prosecutor. If the police present evidence at a later date (before trial), additional charges will likely get filed.

Arraignment

The next stage is your arraignment. At this point, your charges are read in court, and you're asked whether you plead guilty or not guilty. Most defendants enter a not-guilty plea and request a trial date. This allows your attorney to challenge probable cause at a preliminary hearing and argue other pre-trial motions.

If you enter a guilty plea, you admit you committed the crime and waive your right to a jury trial. This means you forfeit your constitutional right to a trial before an impartial jury. Additionally, the prosecutor will no longer have to prove your guilt beyond all reasonable doubt.

At an arraignment, you can also plead nolo contendere or "no contest," which aren't technically pleas. But it indicates that you don't contest the charges. A no-contest plea cannot be used in other aspects of the criminal trial as an admission of guilt. A no-contest plea is only accepted by a judge if made voluntarily and intelligently.

Pre-Trial Release

You're entitled to an initial appearance before a magistrate to request pre-trial release. You may get out of jail after your arrest and before trial by posting bail with a set list of conditions you must follow, such as a curfew, not contacting the victim, and no out-of-state travel.

Bail is the money you pay the court to ensure you'll make future court date appearances. If you do, the bail is refunded to you. But if not, the court keeps the money and can issue a warrant for your arrest. If you or your family cannot afford the amount of bail set, you can contact a bail bond agent who will secure the bail amount for you for a fee.

Alternatively, you can be released on your "own recognizance" if the court does not consider you to be a flight risk or a danger to the community. But you must promise in writing to make all future court appearances.

Learning of Your Rights During an Arrest

In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that individuals under arrest for suspicion of having committed a crime have certain rights. These rights must be explained by law enforcement officers before any questioning may occur. This protects your Fifth Amendment right to be free from self-incrimination. The warning is as follows:

1. You have the right to remain silent and to refuse to answer questions.
2. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law.
3. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future.
4. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.
5. If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney.

Miranda rights warnings apply when an individual is in police custody and under interrogation. This would not apply to situations like traffic stops. An interrogation by a police officer consists of direct and indirect questions designed to elicit an incriminating response.

However, any information you provide voluntarily without prompting will likely be used against you. So, if you're facing criminal charges or are picked up via an arrest warrant, it's best to remain silent and request a criminal defense lawyer immediately. If you cannot afford private counsel, the court will appoint a public defender at no cost.

Get Legal Advice if You Have Questions About the Arrest Process

No one looks forward to an arrest, but it's good to understand the criminal law process if it happens. It's also important to remember the criminal justice system can be intimidating and overwhelming. A qualified criminal defense attorney can:

• Provide a free consultation after a grand jury indictment
• Negotiate a plea bargain or reduced sentence
• File an appeal of your conviction with an appellate court
• Provide legal advice through a case evaluation
• Request a speedy trial date at arraignment
• Move to exclude evidence based on Miranda rights violations
• Negotiate a plea bargain by raising reasonable doubt
• Argue to eliminate or reduce criminal penalties

Many attorneys offer free consultations before creating a formal client relationship. Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer early in the case will help protect your constitutional rights. The court will assign a public defender if you cannot afford a private attorney. Find criminal defense attorneys in your area.

An arrest occurs when the police take you into custody, and you can no longer freely walk away from the arresting officer. When you're arrested, the police must follow specific legal procedures during and after the arrest process to comply with your legal and constitutional rights.