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If you shoot a cop for any reason, you will be very lucky to (1) live and (2) do it outside of The Walls.

- Jim

I thought this hoary old thread might be of interest to the people who are asking by having a lawyer on call.

I'm not sure if all the information is still valid.

- Jim

Thanks again, Steve.

- Jim

srothstein wrote:BTW, one of the meanest things a cop can do to you is take your wallet and put it in the property room. When he does, you need ID to get it, and all of the ID is in the wallet. How do you prove who you are for the jail when you wallet is in a building across the town or county and you cannot get it?

Is there anything you can do to prevent that, like keeping ID in your pocket, or do the authorities essentially own you at that point?

- Jim

srothstein wrote:Not sure what you mean by an I-bond, but assume you are referring to personal recognizance bonds.

Thanks for your detailed reply.

I-bond was the term used in Illinois, where I grew up. I don't know the exact legal basis. If the arrestee didn't look like a flight risk and had no other legal entanglements, he could sign an affidavit saying he would show up for a hearing, and leave without posting cash bail.

- Jim

gigag04 wrote:We could do a poll here ...

I was busted. Age 18. Acting stupid. Charges dropped.

Quite a few people whom I know well enough were busted at some point. I don't expect the others to mention it.

- Jim

Liberty wrote:I read somewhere that over 50% of Texans over 21 have been arrested at some point in their life.

I can believe that.

- Jim

No, That kind of thing is well in my past.

I asked this question because I see comments from time to time that seem to indicate that some people think being arrested is not a big deal.

It can be not a big deal (out in a couple of hours with all your stuff), or it can mean several days in jail, the loss of a few grand, and the kids seeing daddy hauled off in cuffs.

I just thought it was worth discussing.

- Jim

Thanks for the responses.

txinvestigator wrote: Officers discretion. I never took a persons keys or shoelaces unless the key ring contained a handcuff key.

It may also be department or city policy. (I read about these things from time to time and get fuzzy on the details.)

I know minor charges have standard bail. I should have mentioned that to save you the trouble.

My understanding of felony-level charges is that you have to have an arraignment hearing. Some places (Houston, I think) have an "emergency" court that convenes every day. Others make you wait for the next business day.

- Jim

I'd would appreciate it if someone in the know would describe exactly what happens when a person is arrested.

This is my understanding of the basics:
1. You're cuffed and read your rights.
2. Everything that could be considered a weapon is confiscated, including pens, keys, and shoelaces.
3. You're transported to the station, photographed, fingerprinted.
4. At that point, if you're eligible for an I-bond, you're released and you get your stuff back.

If you have to post bond, can you use your own cash or credit cards?

If someone has to post bond for you, how long does it take and how much does it cost?

If you're kept in custody, what happens to your stuff and when do you get it back. (I'm thinking that many people easily have $1,000 worth of stuff on them, jewelry, expensive shoes, etc., plus their wallet and keys). That's not even considering your carry piece, which again is easily $500.

If you're driving, what happens to your car? If the car is not evidence in the arrest, can someone who is with you drive it home, or is it always towed?

What happens if you have minor children with you?

Thanks for taking the time to answer, and if I don't have another opportunity to say so, have a merry and safe Christmas.

- Jim