Frequently Asked Questions

Being Arrested and Charged with a Crime in Florida | FAQ

1. What should I do if I'm arrested in Florida?
2. Can a police detain me without arresting me?
3. What procedures are usually followed if I am arrested?
4. Can I be arrested without a warrant?
5. If I am arrested in the state of Florida, what are my rights?
6. When questioned by the police, what rights do I have?
7. Do I need a lawyer if I am arrested?
8. If I am arrested, can I represent myself (be my own attorney)?
9. Do I still need an attorney if I have not been arrested or charged with a crime?

1. What should I do if I'm arrested in Florida?
When arrested in Florida, any statement, whether oral or written will be considered evidence in court and used against you in the prosecution of your case. If a law enforcement officer offered an inducement to sign a document or make a verbal statement, or if the officer threatens or forces you to sign anything, request an attorney immediately. Strong-arm tactics such as these are often used by law enforcement to gather evidence to assist with an investigation. If you aren't sure whether you should talk with the arresting officer or other law enforcement officers, you should wait until you have spoken with an attorney before giving up your right to remain silent.

IT IS YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

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2. Can a police detain me without arresting me?
A police officer may require you to identify yourself and explain your presence at a particular time, without arresting you if they have reasonable suspicion that you are/were involved in a crime. However, the officer may not remove you from the immediate vicinity without making an arrest, unless you voluntarily accompany the officer to some other location.

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3. What procedures are usually followed if I am arrested?

• The officer will take you to the police station or jail.
• You will be advised generally as to the charges against you. However, these charges may be changed later and stated in more detail by the office of the prosecuting attorney or in some instances by a grand jury.
• You may be required to participate in a lineup, to prepare a sample of your penmanship, or to speak phrases associated with the crime with which you are charged, to put on certain wearing apparel or to give a sample of your hair. You should ask to have your defense attorney present during any of these procedures. You have an absolute right to counsel if you have been asked to participate in a lineup after you have been formally charged by the prosecuting attorney or indicted by a grand jury.
• You also may be required to be fingerprinted and photographed.
• You will be arraigned at a court session or your attorney will file a written plea on your behalf. An arraignment is no more than a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest to the charge. If you plead not guilty, another court date will be set. If you plead guilty or no contest, a sentencing date will be set, generally after the court has received a pre-sentence investigation report from probation and parole.

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4. Can I be arrested without a warrant?
In Florida, a police officer may make an arrest without a warrant under a variety of circumstances. Among those circumstances are:

• When the arresting officer has good reason to believe that a felony has been or is being committed and that you are the person who has committed or is committing the felony
• When the officer knows that a warrant for your arrest has been issued and is still in effect even though the warrant may be held by another police officer
• When a misdemeanor is committed in the presence of the officer

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5. If I am arrested in the state of Florida, what are my rights?

• You have a right to know the crime or crimes with which you have been charged.
• You have the right to communicate by telephone with your attorney, family, friends, or bondsperson as soon as practicable after you have been brought into the police station. The police have a right to complete their booking procedures before you are allowed to use the telephone.
• You have the right to be represented by an attorney at all critical stages of your case.
• Constitutional rights may be waived or given up voluntarily. Before you say or sign anything that might result in waiver of a constitutional right, it is in your best interest to contact a criminal defense lawyer and weigh your decision carefully.

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6. When questioned by the police, what rights do I have?

• You have the right to remain silent.
• If you choose to say anything, understand that it can and in most cases will be used against you in a court of law.
• If you decide to answer any questions, you may stop at any time, request an attorney be present and all questioning by the police officer must end.
• You have a right to consult with an attorney before answering any questions. You have the right to have your attorney present if you decide to answer any questions.

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7. Do I need a lawyer if I am arrested?

If you are arrested for a criminal offense, you absolutely should consult with an attorney! Both misdemeanors and felonies have the potential for jail time, probation or both. Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, however deserve the same focus and aggressiveness in their defense.

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8. Can I represent myself if I am arrested?

Yes. However, it is essential that you understand the seriousness of the charges, the consequences, and the possible defenses to those charges. It is unlikely that the average person could represent themselves effectively in court against an experienced prosecutor. The prosecutor knows the law better and is experienced in handling these types of matters. If you choose to represent yourself, you are putting yourself at a considerable disadvantage. A criminal arrest can adversely affect the rest of your life. You want to ensure that you are doing everything possible to minimize the consequences and the long term affects a criminal case will have on your future.

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9. Do I still need an attorney if I have not been arrested or charged with a crime?

Even though you are not accused or charged with a crime, you may still be a suspect while law enforcement carries out their investigation. You should consult with a lawyer before making any statements, because what you say (or write) can be misinterpreted and used against you later.

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