What Should I Do If I Am Arrested?

Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. | Criminal Defense
Our Sun City criminal defense attorneys discuss things you should do if you have been arrested.
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    If you are arrested on suspicion of any crime in Arizona, you have certain legal rights – but it is your responsibility to protect many of those rights. Knowing what your rights are and how you should act to protect them can help you navigate the criminal justice system, work effectively with your experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney, and secure the best possible outcome in your case.

    Being under arrest means you are not free to leave a scene or walk away from the police. You do not have to give any information or answer any questions except you must provide your name and address if requested.

    Before a law enforcement officer questions you while under arrest, he or she should tell you that you have certain rights, called your Miranda Rights.

    Miranda Rights Include:

    • The right to remain silent,
    • The fact that anything you say can be used against you in court,
    • The right to have a lawyer present when you are questioned,
    • The right to have a lawyer appointed for you if you cannot afford one.

    After reading you these rights, the officer may ask, “With these rights in mind, do you still wish to talk to me?” Inform the officer that you want an attorney and that you are choosing to exercise your right to remain silent. Then, say nothing.

    After you are arrested, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can give you specific advice on how best to protect your rights in your specific situation. With your permission, your attorney can also inform your family and friends about your location and how to post bail, if bail is set in your case.

    To learn more about your rights and how to protect the well-being of your family if you have been arrested, call the law firm of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. at (480) 467-3434. The information you gain through a consultation can help you protect your rights at every step of your case.

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    About the Author

    Zachary Mushkatel

    Zachary Mushkatel is a founding attorney of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., who has practiced law in Arizona since 2004. He also practices before the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A graduate of the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota Law School, he started his career as a public defender and entered private practice in criminal defense. In 2008, Zachary co-founded a firm dedicated to civil law in addition to criminal defense, and he has since expanded his practice to personal injury, estate planning and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, probate, corporate litigation, real estate, and various civil matters. He serves on the board and faculty of the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, and he is a past president and current member of the West Maricopa County Bar Association.