An arrest can be stressful. It is easy to make seemingly harmless decisions in the moment that might weaken your case later. In Kentucky, knowing what mistakes to avoid after an arrest could make a significant difference in court.
Explaining yourself to the police
After an arrest, you may feel the urge to explain yourself or convince officers of your innocence. However, anything you say may be used against you in court.
When confronted by the police, you may consider telling them that you are exercising your right to remain silent and that you would like to speak with an attorney before answering questions. This may prevent you from revealing incriminating information.
Posting about your case on social media
It might feel tempting to share your frustrations or discuss an ongoing case on social media, but doing this may weaken your case. Prosecutors and law enforcement could access your social media posts and use them as evidence.
Even seemingly innocent posts about where you were or what you were doing could contradict your defense. Photos, check-ins and comments from friends may all become part of the prosecution’s case against you. Consider taking a break from social media until the resolution of your case.
Trying to contact witnesses or alleged victims
If your arrest involves another person, you might feel compelled to reach out to them to apologize, explain your side or ask them to drop the charges. However, contacting a protected party or witness may result in criminal charges.
You could face a Class A misdemeanor for violating a protective order, a Class D felony for witness tampering or contempt of court charges. If you need to communicate something important, consider letting your attorney handle it through proper legal channels.
Protecting yourself after an arrest
After an arrest, you do not have to do anything you are not legally obligated to. Being wary of what you say and who you speak to may help you protect your case.