Law abiding Las Vegas or Henderson citizens accused by police of Crimes.

United States crimes are classified in the general categories of misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies. Misdemeanors generally are crimes that are not very serious such as speeding. Gross misdemeanors are crimes that we consider more dangerous or more serious, and felonies are the crimes that generally involve evil intent and victims.

The Supreme Court of the United States has held that police officers may arrest any person if there is probable cause of a crime. It is within the cops' discretion to arrest you if you were speeding in your car, throwing a cigarette on the ground, loitering, and riding your bicycle without using proper hand signals. The probable cause comes from the officer witnessing you committing the crime.  Even for minor crimes like this, you would want a Las Vegas criminal defense attorney on your side.

Some Las Vegas or Henderson police officers will arrest you and justify the arrest in the police report by claiming you were belligerent and they did not believe you would sign the citation in which you would promise that you will show up in court. This could be untrue, but without video footage of the arrest, it is your word against the Las Vegas police officer’s word.

Law-abiding Las Vegas or Henderson citizens who are arrested by the police on minor offenses because they are shocked by the attitude they receive by police who stop them. Surprised at being stopped and at the condescension of the officer, the misdemeanant will say something to the effect of "I know my rights."  When you have been arrested, you will want to keep your mouth shut and contact a Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer immediately.

If you argue with the Las Vegas or Henderson police officer or offer an excuse for you behavior, you could be doing yourself a grave disservice. A common scenario of “gotcha” gimmicks that police employ are like this: a Las Vegas or Henderson police officer stopped this fellow for speeding. The fellow said that he had not seen the speed limit sign, hoping the cop would understand and let him go with a warning. Instead, the Las Vegas or Henderson police officer wrote him the citation for speeding and added another citation for inattentive driving.

Las Vegas or Henderson police officers do not like to hear any lip and can arrest you. Las Vegas or Henderson or police officers do not care that you already feel humiliated that you are being charged with a crime when you believed you were adhering to the law. They do not care that you are a law-abiding taxpayer and you pay for their salary.

Some of the slickest criminals are ex-felons. They understand the police officer psychology and act with the utmost respect toward the officer, saying "Yes sir" and "No sir" and "thank you for informing sir". Even though these ex-felons probably do not pay much by way of taxes and are not responsible for contributing to police salaries, police treat them much nicer sometimes.

If you act like the a sycophant with a Las Vegas or Henderson cop, the Las Vegas or Henderson cop may think you are a convicted criminal, however generally the Las Vegas or Henderson cop will treat you better than if you act like a law-abiding citizen who knows his rights.  After dealing with the police, consult with a criminal defense attorney who practices in Henderson and Las Vegas.

Be calm, courteous, and quiet with Las Vegas or Henderson police officers when stopped. If they harass you, keep your cool or you will fuel their adrenaline and make them more apt to treat you worse.  Then call The Jacks Law Group for legal assistance with your criminal matter.

Remember, for misdemeanor crimes, you will not get a court appointed public defender.  If you want a criminal defense attorney to represent your interests, you will have to hire one in private practice.