You don’t have to be a criminal to get arrested. You don’t even have to break the law. A broken taillight, being in the wrong place, or matching a vague description—sometimes, that’s all it takes.

The justice system doesn’t always feel just, especially when you’re the one in handcuffs. And once things start moving, they move fast. Officers press for answers. Paperwork piles up. Your words are twisted. Your silence is judged.

What happens next isn’t just about what you did or didn’t do—it’s about what they say you did. That’s why knowing your rights isn’t optional. It’s your first line of defense. If you’ve been arrested, investigated, or even questioned by police, don’t wait to get help. Contact our Greensboro, North Carolina criminal defense attorneys at Schlosser & Pritchett Law for clear answers and strong legal representation.

This guide is the real-world information that can help you protect yourself the moment police turn their attention to you. Whether you’ve already been stopped or want to be ready, just in case, keep reading.

What to Do When Police Stop You

If an officer pulls you over, they may ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Beyond that, you are not required to answer additional questions. Officers often ask, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” or “Have you had anything to drink?”—and anything you say can be used against you later.

What You Should Do:

• Keep your hands visible, preferably on the steering wheel.
• Provide your driver’s license and registration when asked.
• Politely decline to answer any unnecessary questions.
• Never consent to a search of your vehicle unless they have a warrant.

Police officers may ask if they can search your car, but unless they have probable cause (such as the smell of drugs or visible contraband), they cannot search without your permission or a warrant. If they search your car illegally, your lawyer can challenge the evidence in court.

What to Do If You Are Under Investigation

Many criminal cases start long before an arrest is made. If law enforcement contacts you for questioning, it’s a strong sign that you are under investigation.

Common signs you are being investigated:

• Officers visit your home or workplace.
• Detectives call or leave messages asking you to come in for questioning.
• Friends, family, or colleagues tell you the police have contacted them.
• You receive a subpoena requesting documents or testimony.

You might feel tempted to explain yourself or clear up any misunderstandings, but this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Speaking to the police without a lawyer can put you at risk—even if you’ve done nothing wrong.

If an officer or investigator reaches out to you:

• Do not answer questions. Politely say, “I want to speak with my attorney first.”
• Avoid talking about the investigation with anyone, including friends or family.
• Do not delete emails, texts, or social media posts—this can be seen as destroying evidence.
• Call a criminal defense lawyer immediately.

Even if you are not charged with a crime, an attorney can protect you from wrongful accusations and prevent you from making statements that could later be used against you.

What Your Rights Really Mean During an Arrest?

If the police arrest you, they are required to inform you of your Miranda rights before questioning. This includes:

The Right to Remain Silent

You do not have to answer police questions. Not about where you were, what you were doing, or who you were with. Staying silent is not an admission of guilt—it’s a way to protect yourself. If you choose to speak, your words can be twisted or taken out of context. The best response is I’m invoking my right to remain silent.

The Right to an Attorney

You have the right to have a lawyer with you during any questioning. If you can’t afford one, the court will appoint one for you. But this right only helps you if you use it. Don’t wait until things feel serious—say it clearly and early: I want to speak with an attorney.

Once you make that request, the police must stop questioning you. If they keep pushing, do not engage. A criminal defense lawyer can step in to stop unlawful tactics, protect your rights, and guide your next move.

Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You in Court

This part is not a suggestion—it’s a warning. Whether it’s a quick comment in the police car or something said in a holding cell, prosecutors can and will use your words to build a case against you. Even saying something you think is harmless can backfire.

Interrogations: What You Need to Know

Once you’re in police custody, the interrogation room becomes a high-pressure environment designed to get you talking—whether you’re ready or not. Many people don’t realize that officers are trained to control the conversation, push emotional buttons, and use manipulation to get a confession. And in many cases, they don’t need physical evidence—they just need your words.

Common Police Tactics During Interrogation

Officers don’t always play fair. They are legally allowed to lie to you. They might say they have a witness or DNA evidence that doesn’t exist. They might tell you that someone else already blamed you or claim that confessing will help you ‘get out of this.’ None of this is meant to help you—it’s designed to break you down and get you to talk.

You might also deal with aggressive questioning, long periods without rest, or officers switching between being confrontational and overly friendly. This can be mentally exhausting, especially if you’re scared or unsure of what’s happening. These tactics are intentional. They’re meant to confuse you and make you believe that cooperation—talking—is your only way out.

How to Handle Police Interrogation

The best way to protect yourself during an interrogation is simple: say nothing except, ‘I want a lawyer.’ That single sentence immediately stops the questioning and ensures you’re no longer alone in that room.

Refuse polygraph tests. They’re often offered as a way to “clear your name,” but they’re not reliable—and the results can be used to pressure you even more. You also shouldn’t believe any promise made during questioning. Officers might say you’ll get leniency if you cooperate, but only prosecutors can make deals—and nothing is official unless it’s in writing.

Why It Matters

Many wrongful convictions begin with a confession made under pressure. Some people confess to crimes they didn’t commit just to end the interrogation. If you were tricked, threatened, or worn down until you gave in, that statement could be challenged in court.

An experienced criminal defense attorney from  Schlosser & Pritchett Law in Greensboro, NC can look at how the interrogation was handled and take steps to suppress anything obtained illegally or unfairly.

Special Situations and Additional Considerations

DUI Arrests: What You Need to Know

Driving under the influence charges come with their own set of rules. One of the most misunderstood is implied consent. In many states, just by holding a driver’s license, you’ve already agreed to submit to chemical testing (like a breathalyzer or blood test) if police suspect you’re impaired. Refusing that test can lead to automatic penalties, like license suspension—even if you’re never convicted.

But that doesn’t mean you have to agree to everything. Field sobriety tests, for example, are not mandatory. These tests—walking in a straight line, balancing on one leg—are subjective, and many people fail them even when sober. Officers may use your performance as justification to arrest you, even if no real signs of intoxication exist.

Search and Seizure Laws

Search and seizure is another area where people often get caught off guard. Police cannot search your property—whether it’s your car, home, or personal belongings—unless one of the following applies:

• They have your consent.
• They have a valid search warrant.
• They believe there’s probable cause and urgent circumstances (like evidence being destroyed).

If officers show up with a search warrant, ask to see it. A warrant will clearly list the location they can search and what they’re allowed to look for. If they go beyond what’s listed, that can be challenged later. You have the right to say no if they show up without a warrant. Don’t argue or resist physically—clearly and calmly state that you do not consent to the search.

Juvenile Arrests: How They Differ

When minors are arrested, the rules shift. Juveniles have many of the same constitutional rights as adults—like the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer—but there are added protections, too. For example, minors often cannot be questioned without a parent or guardian present. If law enforcement questions a child without notifying a parent, that could be a serious violation.

Parents also have a right to be informed if their child is taken into custody. In many cases, they must be notified immediately. The juvenile court system also tends to focus more on rehabilitation than punishment—but that doesn’t mean the charges should be taken lightly. A juvenile record can still affect a young person’s future in serious ways.

What Happens After an Arrest?

Booking and Processing

After an arrest, you’re taken to a local jail or detention center for booking. This involves fingerprinting, photographing (your mugshot), and collecting personal information like your name, address, and Social Security number. Any belongings you have on you—wallet, keys, phone—are taken, logged, and held until your release.

This isn’t just paperwork. It’s the first official step in a criminal case. Everything you say during booking can be recorded and used later. If you’re asked questions beyond basic identification, you have the right to remain silent and wait until you speak with a criminal defense attorney.

Holding Cells and Bail Hearings

After booking, you’ll likely be placed in a holding cell until your arraignment or bail hearing. These holding periods can range from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the court’s schedule and whether you’re eligible for bail.

At a bail hearing, a judge will decide if you can be released and under what conditions. The decision is based on several factors—your criminal record, the seriousness of the charge, ties to the community, and whether you’re considered a flight risk. Sometimes, the judge denies bail altogether. Other times, bail is set so high it’s practically a denial.

Your First Court Appearance (Arraignment)

The arraignment is your first formal appearance before a judge. This is when the charges against you are read aloud, and you’re asked to enter a plea: guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is also where you should clearly request legal representation if you haven’t already.

How to Protect Your Rights Throughout the Criminal Process

Once you’ve been charged with a crime, the pressure doesn’t stop—it often gets more intense. The legal system moves fast, and if no one’s looking out for your rights, you could be left facing penalties that didn’t need to happen.

Pre-Trial: What to Expect

Before your case reaches a courtroom, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. Investigations continue, paperwork is filed, and evidence is reviewed. If you’ve been wrongly accused or if your rights were violated, this is the time to raise those issues.

Gathering evidence is one of the most important parts of the pre-trial process. This includes surveillance footage, police reports, medical records, or witness statements. It can also involve pointing out errors in the prosecution’s case—things they missed, twisted, or obtained illegally.

Then there’s the question of a plea bargain. Prosecutors might offer you a deal: plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for avoiding trial. It sounds tempting, especially when you’re under pressure. But agreeing to a plea means accepting a conviction. Whether or not you take one should depend on the strength of the evidence, the risks of going to trial, and what’s in your long-term interest. A defense attorney can explain the pros and cons of any offer and help you make the right call.

Trial and Sentencing

If your case goes to trial, expect a formal process: jury selection, opening statements, witness testimony, cross-examination, and closing arguments. Both sides present their case, and then the judge or jury makes a decision.

If there’s a conviction, sentencing comes next. Penalties can include jail time, probation, fines, community service, or mandatory programs. Sometimes, there’s a chance to appeal the decision or request a reduced sentence—but the timing is limited.

What If Your Rights Were Violated?

If police violated your rights at any stage, an attorney can take action, including:

• Filing a motion to suppress evidence gathered illegally, such as through an unlawful search or without reading your Miranda rights. If the court grants this motion, that evidence cannot be used against you.
• Challenging an unlawful arrest—if police arrested you without probable cause or targeted you based on racial profiling, the charges may be dismissed.
• Requesting a dismissal of the case if the violation was severe enough to impact the fairness of the proceedings.
• Filing a civil rights lawsuit against the police department or officers involved. This can include claims of excessive force, unlawful detention, or other forms of misconduct.
• Bringing attention to violations of due process, such as being denied access to a phone call, being questioned without a lawyer after invoking your rights, or being held without charges for an extended period.

Protect Your Rights With a Greensboro, North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

Getting arrested or investigated can leave you with more questions than answers. Why did this happen? What should you say? Are they bluffing—or building a case?

This guide breaks down the process—step by step—so you’re not left in the dark. You don’t need a legal degree to understand your rights. You just need the right support when things start moving fast. That’s exactly what Schlosser & Pritchett Law in Greensboro, NC provides.

We know the tactics police use, the shortcuts they take, and how quickly your words can be turned against you.

Whether it’s an illegal stop, a shaky witness, or evidence that doesn’t add up, Schlosser & Pritchett Law in Greensboro, knows where to press. We’ve handled quiet dismissals, intense trials, and everything in between. You won’t get vague answers or cookie-cutter defenses. You’ll get real talk, straight strategy, and someone ready to challenge what the system says you did—because it doesn’t always get it right.

You can speak with us at (336) 292-4076 or send your details online, and we’ll follow up as soon as possible.