If you have a friend who has gotten arrested, you may be feeling stress or anxiety. You may be worried about him or her and you may be wondering what to do. If you want to be there for your friend in this time of need, there are things you can do to help.
Gather Information
Enable yourself to help your friend by finding out necessary information. You need to find out the location of the jail where your friend is being held and what your friend was charged with.
If you are speaking with your friend on the phone asking these questions, make sure no details are said out loud regarding what he or she may or may not have done. If an arrested person accidentally admits any piece of information as true, it can be used against him or her in court. If you ask what your friend was charged with, tell him or her to only state what the charges are and nothing else.
Bail Out Your Friend
One of the first things you want to do is try to bail your friend out of jail if you can. The judge will determine if your friend is eligible for bail. If so, the judge will state the bail amount. If the amount is higher than you can pay out of pocket, call bail bonds Harrisburg PA for financial assistance.
Hire an Attorney
Depending on the severity of the charges, it may be in your friend's best interest to seek help from an attorney. This is particularly important if there is a possibility of long-term sentencing. If you and your friend cannot afford an attorney, you can have one provided for free. Many people hire their own attorney if possible because they can get better results.
This may be a trying time, but try not to feel overwhelmed. There are professionals and services that are available to help.
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