An arrest is an action taken by law enforcement officers in order to take a person into custody and gain formal charges against them. Generally, this involves a law enforcement officer apprehending a person or persons suspected of a crime.
The Rights After an Arrest
When somebody is placed under arrest, they are usually read their Miranda Rights. The Miranda Rights are a set of statements that inform the person of their right to remain silent and that anything they say can and will be used against them. Additionally, they are informed of their right to an attorney.
The Process of an Arrest
The arrest process varies depending on state and local laws, but in the United States, the standard for an arrest includes: a law enforcement officer observes a crime or is provided with an arrest warrant; the officer must have probable cause that the person is committing a crime; the officer must obtain a warrant for the person’s arrest; the officer must inform the person of the reason for the arrest; the officer must physically take the person into custody; and the officer must keep the person in custody until a court hearing.
What Comes After An Arrest
After an arrest, the person in custody may be released with an appearance ticket, or they may be kept in custody until a court hearing at a later date. The court hearing is usually when the suspect will have the opportunity to be charged formally and enter a plea. If the suspect is found guilty, the sentence will depend on the individual crime and the state’s laws.