What Happens If I'm Arrested

Getting Arrested -  Questions and Concerns

Criminal arrests happen to all different types of people: college students, doctors, plumbers, clerks, housewives, fathers, etc., and can have life-altering consequences. 

Upon arrest, either the court or the arresting agency sets bail. This means that one would need to post a bond in order to be released from custody while his or her case is being prosecuted.

After arrest, common questions include:

• • “How do I post a bond so I’m not locked up while awaiting trial?”
  • “Will the court reduce the bail amount?”
  •  “What if I cannot afford to post a bond?”

Clients also have concerns regarding anonymity.

• • “Is my name going to appear in the newspaper?”
  • “If my boss finds out, I’m going to lose my job?”
  • “If I lose my job, how will I pay my bills?”
  • If clients are still in school, they are often concerned about how the arrest will affect their schooling.
  • “Will I lose my college financial aid?” or “Will I be expelled from my university?”

Imagine how life would change if one is held in jail or subject to electronic monitoring and cannot leave the house during prosecution? They cannot work. They cannot go to class. They cannot take their children to school or other activities. Often, the person cannot travel out of the country while the case is pending. In other cases, the court may enter a protective order that does not allow the person to remain in the family home. These are very real problems that often arise after an arrest, and cause disruption to everyday life.

Though not easy issues for the average person to handle, Attorney Bonanno helps make sense of all of these questions and potential problems. He has represented many people who have been criminally charged and arrested, and works to resolve their cases with little, or no long-term damage in order to get their lives back to normal.