I frequently hear attorneys say, \u201cI don\u2019t care if my client gets arrested, I care that my client doesn\u2019t get convicted and sentenced to a long term in prison.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Easy for them to say. They\u2019re not the one sitting behind bars, perhaps with some of the most dangerous individuals in the community. They\u2019re not the ones whose kids are going to be taunted by their schoolmates who read in the paper that Daddy or Mommy was arrested for Murder after defending themselves. They\u2019re not the ones who\u2019ll be interviewing for their dream job and asked, \u201cHave you ever been arrested?\u201d and have to answer in the affirmative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I recently saw a commenter write, \u201cI don\u2019t care if I have to spend a couple of days in jail.\u201d What on Earth made him think it would be only a couple of days? If you\u2019ve shot an assailant and hewed to the typical \u201cnever talk to the police\u201d advice, does anyone seriously think the cops are gonna say \u201cOh, OK, go home now and maybe the prosecutor can call your attorney later for an interview?\u201d No, you\u2019re going to be arrested and presumption of guilt will take over from presumption of innocence. It will be a while before you get a bond hearing. Bond in a homicide case often runs a million dollars, and guess what? Some judges in some jurisdictions simply aren\u2019t giving bail at all under such circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n