How to Protect Your Rights Before and After an Arrest

Posted on July 23, 2025

Being charged with a crime can be a terrifying experience. Knowing what to do while interacting with police can be confusing. The Indianapolis criminal defense lawyers at The Criminal Defense Team explain your legal rights and the steps you should take to protect them, which include:

Don’t Resist

You might feel threatened by police and may react by actively resisting, but doing this can harm you and your case. It could also subject you to additional criminal charges of resisting arrest. If you believe that you are being wrongfully charged, you can speak about these concerns with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

Before an arrest, police must recite your Miranda rights, which include stating that you have the right to remain silent and that anything you say can and will be used against you. Even though we know you might want to clear things up or give your side of the story, it’s in your best interest not to speak to the police. Anything that should be communicated to police can be better delivered through an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Do Not Consent to a Search

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents people from unreasonable searches. This usually means that police must have a warrant before they can search a suspect. However, an exception to this requirement is if you freely consent to a search. You can safeguard your rights by refusing to consent to a search. Not consenting can 

Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

A skilled criminal defense lawyer can intervene in your case, explore options for having the criminal charges against your case, lobby for a favorable plea agreement, and fervently protect your legal rights during any subsequent trial. 

The criminal defense attorney you choose for your case can have a tremendous impact on your case. Some of the reasons why you should consider hiring an attorney from The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC are:

  • We have 110+ years of combined legal experience representing people accused of various crimes, including murder and other serious crimes.
  • Our criminal defense law firm has four of the five board-certified criminal trial specialists in Indiana. This status is a testament to our dedication, experience, and knowledge of this area of the law.
  • We use a collaborative approach. Every client is assigned two attorneys and a paralegal, but you also benefit from the collective experience of our entire team.
  • We focus exclusively on criminal law, giving us an in-depth knowledge of this area of the law and how to mount effective defense strategies.

Don’t Talk About Your Case

Once you realize you’re under investigation, it’s extremely important what you say and do. Do not make the prosecution’s case against you any easier by saying or doing anything that incriminates you. Stay off of social media, and don’t talk to your friends or family about the case.

Contact Our Board-Certified Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help with Your Case

If you have been arrested for a crime and need legal assistance, contact The Criminal Defense Team immediately. We can take immediate action to protect your legal rights. Call us at (317) 678-9853 to get started with a free and confidential consultation.