Estoy acusado;
¿y ahora qué?

No. Ser acusado significa que el gobierno cree que usted pudo haber cometido un delito. Un cargo no es una condena; es el comienzo de un proceso legal, no el final. Se le presume inocente y la fiscalía debe probar su caso más allá de toda duda razonable, a menos que usted negocie un acuerdo con ellos más adelante. Nada se ha decidido todavía.

No. Esta es una de las cosas más importantes que debe entender: usted tiene el derecho de permanecer en silencio, y debe usarlo. Cualquier cosa que le diga a la policía, incluso algo que parezca inofensivo o útil, puede ser utilizada en su contra en el tribunal. No está obligado a responder preguntas más allá de identificarse. Diga cortésmente al oficial que le gustaría hablar con un abogado antes de responder cualquier pregunta, y luego no diga nada más hasta que lo haga. Si tiene una explicación o información que pueda ayudar a su caso, su abogado trabajará con usted para determinar la mejor manera de presentarla a un oficial o a un fiscal.

Después de un arresto, normalmente será fichado: fotografiado, fichado y procesado. Si bien el "derecho a una llamada telefónica" no existe como un derecho legal garantizado, es probable que se le dé la oportunidad de hacer una llamada después de ser fichado en la cárcel. Si solo recibe una llamada, llame a su cónyuge o a un miembro de la familia que pueda ayudarlo, y que probablemente esté preocupado por usted. Pídales que se pongan en contacto con un abogado defensor calificado si planea contratar uno.

If you remain in custody, a pretrial release officer will interview you within a few hours. They will not ask about your case, and you should not discuss it. Their focus is background information — where you live, whether you have a job, whether you need a public defender, and how much money you might be able to post for bail. Be completely honest with the pretrial officer. They will be the first person to speak to the judge about your possible release, and their report matters.

If you are still in jail when court is next in session — usually the next business day — you will appear before a judge sometime during the day, likely by video. At that hearing the judge will notify you of the charges, consider appointing a public defender if you have requested one, and consider reducing your bail.

If you or your family have contacted an attorney, he or she can appear at this hearing and argue on your behalf. This is one of the most important reasons to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after an arrest. If you have been appointed a public defender, someone from that office will likely be present to argue for your release as well.

You will probably not be asked how you plead at this first hearing — but if you are, plead "Not Guilty." If you have an attorney, they will likely enter that plea for you.

The entire hearing will probably last less than a couple of minutes. At the end the court will schedule your next court date.

Bail — sometimes called bond, which means the same thing — is the method by which someone who has been arrested may be released while their case proceeds through the court system. It often involves paying a set amount of money, but it can also include conditions such as appearing for all court dates and obeying the law.

A judge sets bail based on factors like the severity of the charge, your ties to the community, and your prior record. If you cannot afford the bail set by the judge, you may remain in custody until your case is resolved — which is another reason early legal representation matters. An attorney can argue for lower bail or for your release on conditions without any payment of money, often called "ROR" or release on your own recognizance.

If you remain in custody, do not discuss your case with anyone. Other people in the jail may repeat anything you say in order to help their own case. Additionally, every phone call made from a jail or prison is recorded — and law enforcement officers and prosecutors regularly listen to those recordings. Do not say anything over the phone about your case or your conversations with your lawyer.

If you are released on bail with conditions, you must follow them without exception. Any violation could result in your arrest and return to custody — and you will likely forfeit any money that has been posted as bail.

Felonies are the more serious offenses and can result in prison sentences of more than one year, significant fines, and lasting consequences for your employment, housing, and civil rights. Some felonies carry minimum sentences of five years or more, and the most serious felonies carry the possibility of a life sentence.

Misdemeanors are less serious offenses, but they still carry a possible jail sentence of up to one year plus fines. Misdemeanors can also affect your driver's license and harm your ability to find employment or pursue education.

Both are serious. Both deserve experienced legal representation. Do not make the mistake of thinking any charge is too minor to warrant a lawyer.

For some minor traffic violations, prepaying a fine without going to court is an option — but for criminal charges, paying a fine or pleading guilty without fully understanding the consequences can affect you for years. A conviction — even for a misdemeanor — creates a criminal record that can affect your employment, housing, professional licenses, and more. Before making any decisions about how to respond to a charge, speak with an attorney who can explain exactly what you are agreeing to.

In some circumstances, with the court's permission, an attorney may be able to appear on your behalf — saving you from having to be present. If avoiding a court appearance is important to you, make sure to discuss it with your attorney at your first meeting.

You should never miss a court date unless your attorney has specifically told you it is not required. Failing to appear can result in a warrant for your arrest and additional charges — making a difficult situation significantly worse.

If you are charged with any misdemeanor or felony in Kentucky and cannot afford an attorney, the court can appoint one for you. Kentucky's public defender system — the Department of Public Advocacy, or DPA — employs skilled, dedicated attorneys who work hard for their clients. If you are appointed a public defender, your case will be in good hands.

The reality, however, is that public defenders often carry very heavy caseloads, which limits the amount of time they can dedicate to any one case. If you are able to hire private counsel, you gain the benefit of an attorney with more time for your case — one you chose yourself, who will be present at every court appearance and available when you have questions.

The Damon Law Office offers a free initial consultation so you can understand your options and what representation would cost before making any decisions.

El paso más importante que puedes dar es contactar a un abogado defensor penal con experiencia lo antes posible. No hables de tu caso con nadie, ni siquiera con familiares y amigos, aunque creas que podría ayudar. No publiques nada sobre tu situación en redes sociales. Cuando tengas un momento privado, anota todo lo que recuerdes sobre los eventos que rodean las acusaciones en tu contra y tu arresto mientras los detalles estén frescos.

Luego llama a la Oficina de Leyes Damon al 502-783-6626, a cualquier hora, los siete días de la semana. Tu primera conversación es gratuita y confidencial.

¿Alguna otra pregunta? Llámanos, envíanos un correo electrónico a Damon@NotGuiltyKY.com, o envíanos un mensaje en la página de Contacto y te responderemos de inmediato.