Learning that a loved one has been arrested can be an incredibly stressful and confusing time. However, there are steps you can take to help your loved one avoid inadvertently making their case worse.

Remaining calm, respecting the officer’s authority and resisting the temptation to argue can all help prevent a situation from escalating and leading to additional charges. In addition, you should always exercise your right to remain silent and clearly state that you want to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions about the alleged crime.

To arrest you without a warrant the police must reasonably suspect that you have committed, are about to commit or are about to continue committing an offence and it is in the public interest that you are detained for further enquiries. The force used to restrain you during your arrest must be proportionate and necessary to ensure your safety.

During the arrest process it is important to comply with the officers’ instructions. You should be respectful, polite and make no sudden movements. You should also be honest and provide a full name and address. If the officers ask to pat you down, say yes. If you are not sure whether or not you are being detained, you should ask the officers, ‘Am I free to leave?’

Finally, you should never talk about your arrest to anyone including friends and family, as this can be misconstrued as a threat or an attempt to evade arrest and used against you in court. You should also refrain from posting about it on social media, as this could also be used as evidence.