One of the biggest mistakes individuals make when facing criminal charges is speaking to the police. Most people know that anything said to the police can be used against them in court. However, it can be hard to refrain from saying anything. Don’t make this mistake. Do not answer questions from the police until your attorney is present. Booking Into Jail When police officers arrest you in St. Petersburg, they immediately take you to jail. They will likely try to question you. It’s crucial to involve a criminal defense lawyer from the start of your case. An attorney can begin working with you at any time, but the chance of having your charges diminished or dropped is significantly higher if you engage an attorney from the start. A criminal defense attorney can do a lot to help your outcome, but there's little they can do if you've unknowingly made incriminating statements on record. Furthermore, it's hard to tell how seemingly conversational questions can build a case against you. Tell the St. Petersburg police that you want an attorney, and don’t speak with them until you get one. First Appearance and Bail Within 24 hours of an arrest, you'll have your first appearance. At this point, you see a judge, formally hear your charges, and discuss matters like bail. Prosecutors will use anything you say during the first appearance against you in court. From here, you'll go through the steps of the criminal process outlined above. The two most important things to do after police arrest you are to hire a lawyer as soon as possible and refrain from speaking to any official without your lawyer present. Failing to follow this advice can have grave implications for your legal outcome and freedom.