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Help for Arrestees

Everyone makes mistakes. If you are arrested, you need to immediately help yourself.

Do not fight or run from the police. If you do, they can do almost anything to you, beat you, mace you, send a police dog after you, shoot you with a Taser or worse, and then you will face additional charges as well.

Do not spit on the police. Unless they take pity on you, you will almost certainly be convicted of a felony. This is known as aggravated harassment.

Do not talk to the police. Anything you tell them can and will be used against you. Many people have been convicted and/or charged with worse crimes because of statements they made to police after their arrest. Likewise, many people who may have had great chances at trial have lost those chances because of something they said to police that jeopardized their defense.

Remain compliant at all times during your arrest, booking, and stay in jail. Jail is an authoritarian environment and failure to abide could cause you further trouble.

Call your friends and family immediately to tell them you’ve been arrested.

Post bail if you are able.

Hire a lawyer as soon as possible or connect with your public defender. Do not do anything your lawyer tells you not to do.

Do not talk about your situation to other inmates. Jailhouse snitches and other arrestees are always looking for an opportunity to get themselves out.

Do not write letters from jail – they may be read by authorities.

Do not talk about your situation on jail phones, even to a lawyer. Jail phones can be recorded. If you cannot get out of jail, request a private, unrecorded and unmonitored room to meet your lawyer.

Do not attempt to kill yourself. You will likely end up being restrained or put on 24-hour watch which will become even more uncomfortable when you change your mind.

Do not draw attention to yourself from other inmates or guards. Do not make a scene.

Do not mess with people you know nothing about. Do not get involved in situations that have nothing to do with you, and do not escalate situations that do.

If there are victims (e.g. if you are charged with domestic violence), do not contact the victims. Doing so could cause you to be charged with tampering with a witness or obstruction of justice.

About Us

Portland Criminal Justice is a media and public service website dedicated to providing information about the criminal justice system in Multnomah County, Oregon, and the United States.

Our aim is to provide the best possible free information for victims, defendants, and families of those who have become involved in the criminal justice system in Oregon. We also offer commentary on criminal justice issues both locally and nationally.

We strive to post the most accurate and factual information available. Please contact us if you believe we have made an error.

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