An entrepreneur must avoid illegal activities that could lead to an arrest. According to statistics, a high financial cost is associated with getting arrested. The average price of bail is $10,000, and the average cost of a criminal defense attorney is $1,500 per case. Furthermore, your situation could impact your business if you get convicted of a crime. A criminal conviction can make it challenging to obtain funding, obtain contracts, or obtain licensing for your business. Therefore, avoiding illegal activities that could lead to an arrest is essential.
However, minor offenses like disorderly conduct or public intoxication are less likely to impact your business severely. If you get arrested for a petty crime, here are a few things you need to do.
Stay Calm and Don’t Resist Arrest
The first thing you need to do is stay calm and don’t resist arrest. If you try to run away or fight the police, you will get charged with additional crimes, which could lead to a longer jail sentence. Once you notice the police are arresting you, put your hands behind your back and cooperate. The strategy will help you avoid getting hurt and make it easier for your attorney to argue that you weren’t resisting arrest. Moreover, it will help you avoid getting killed. Studies show that police are more likely to use deadly force when the suspect is resisting arrest. Survival will be your primary concern, and you shouldn’t try to fight the police.
Ask for a Lawyer
After you have been arrested, the next thing you need to do is ask for a lawyer. Once you are in custody, the police will read you your Miranda rights, which include the right to an attorney. You should exercise this right and ask for a lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t answer questions until your lawyer arrives because anything you say can be used against you in court. If the police try to interrogate you without your lawyer present, tell them that you want to remain silent until your attorney arrives.
The first lawyer might be a public defender appointed by the court to represent defendants who can’t afford an attorney. If you can afford an attorney, you should hire a private lawyer. A personal lawyer will have more time to devote to your case and will be more likely to get you a favorable outcome.
Don’t Talk to Inmates
If you are in jail, don’t talk to other inmates about your case. Inmates are known to snitch on each other to get reduced sentences, and they can use anything you say against you in court. Even if the inmate is your friend, don’t discuss your case with them. It would help if you only talked to your lawyer about your case because the attorney-client privilege binds them.
Contact a Bail Bond Agent
You must contact a bail bond agent if you can’t afford to post bail. A bail bondsman is a professional who helps people post bail. Bail is the money paid to the court to release a defendant from jail before trial. The amount of bail varies depending on the offense, but it’s usually several thousand dollars. A bail bond agent will post the bail for you and charge you a fee, typically 10% of the bail amount.
It will also be helpful to contact a bail bond agent even if you can afford to post bail because they can help you navigate the bail process. Bail bond agents typically have relationships with jail staff and know the ins and outs of the bail system.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
Unfortunately, even a minor crime can be detrimental to an entrepreneur’s business. You should hire a criminal defense attorney to help you avoid a conviction. A reasonable attorney will investigate the case, challenge evidence, and negotiate with prosecutors. They may be able to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed.
A criminal conviction can have a significant impact on your business. It can make it challenging to obtain funding, contracts, or licensing for your business. Therefore, hiring a competent criminal defense attorney is essential to help you avoid a conviction.
Damage Control
Even if you are ultimately cleared of the charges, an arrest can damage your reputation. You should take steps to control the damage to your reputation by being proactive. First, you should contact a crisis management or public relations firm. They can help you craft a statement and release it to the media.
It would help if you also were prepared to talk to your employees, customers, and vendors about the arrest. Be honest with them and let them know what happened. Tell them you are taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Finally, you should improve your image by engaging in charitable activities and positive publicity campaigns. Doing so will help offset any negative publicity from the arrest.
Final Thoughts
An entrepreneur’s arrest can be a significant setback, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your business. If you take the proper steps, you can minimize the damage and move on with your life.
