Being arrested in Colorado usually occurs without warning. Police in Denver, Arapahoe or Douglas County approach you to talk about an incident, gather as much information as possible before Miranda Rights kick in, and then inform you are under arrest. This blog outlines what you should expect next.
After handcuffing you, police will generally give you a Miranda Advisement and try to get more statements to use against you. You will be transported for booking to the local police department, sheriff’s department or jail. Here, you will be fingerprinted and photographed. The process moves really slow and it is not unusual for our clients to sit for four hours or more waiting to be booked following their arrest. If you are booked at a police department, they will take you to the Adams, Weld or Jefferson County jail to be housed. You will be asked questions about your health and any special needs. If bail / bond is not set or you are not expected to be bailed out of jail, you will be thoroughly searched (often including body cavity searches) and made to change into jail clothes.
Bail / bond is usually set by schedule based on the type of offense. Some cases, like Domestic Violence, require an appearance before a judge prior to setting bail / bond. Once someone arrives to bail you out, you can expect several more hours’ wait while jail deputies move at the speed of government (slow). Bail / bond can be posted in cash or through a bondsman who charges a fee to post money on your behalf. You lose this rental fee. Otherwise, your bond is fully refundable at the end of your court case. There are booking and bond fees in most Colorado jurisdictions and these range from $10 – $100. If you can’t bond out, you will be brought before a judge within a day. The judge will advise you of your rights and make sure your bond is set. This judge cannot do anything concerning the validity of the charges against you, so again, be quiet about the case.
Remember that the bonding process moves slow and only provide the police and jail staff your name, date of birth and contact information. Government workers will try and learn about your case through other inmates or through recorded conversations with visitors. You are on their turf and they use that to gain any advantage over you.
If arrested, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office, at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.