Question 2

What should someone do if someone they know or they themselves have been arrested for a criminal offense? (transcribed from video interview with Dwane Cates, Attorney at law Phoenix AZ www. azlaw4u.com)

Well it's really important if you or someone you love has been arrested that you get an attorney right away. Because some things are gonna happen and they are going to happen pretty quickly. Within the first 24 hours, the court is going to have an initial appearance. Now that initial appearance is very important because what's going to happen is, a judge is going to decide whether or not you get out of jail and under what conditions you get out of jail. And at that hearing, the judge could post a high bond that you're unable to post. If that happens, there can be two or three or four weeks before you can get that bond reduced or if you can get it reduced at all.

Well, bottom line, you need to find a competitent attorney right away or suffer the consequences.

That's correct. You need to get a good competitent attorney involved right away and generally attorneys charge flat fees in this area and it won't cost extra to have an attorney at that first hearing. Good advice counselor, thank you.