| No parent wants to get a phone call from a child in jail. | | | | of jail. If you don't have the cash on hand, you can use |
| Nevertheless, mistakes happen. Don't compound their | | | | a bondsman. They will post bond and charge you a |
| mistake by mishandling their call to you. | | | | percentage of the total amount as their fee. You will |
| Being arrested is scary and, odds are, your child is | | | | also have to pay jailer fees. If there is no way you can |
| going to be extremely upset by the time they call you | | | | post bond, contact a criminal defense attorney |
| for help. Your first priority is to calm them down. Your | | | | immediately. |
| second priority is to keep them quiet. | | | | Though your child can be represented by the public |
| Do not make your child explain what happened. In fact, | | | | defender, he or she will have a much better chance at |
| don't even ask. And don't let them tell you. Your child is | | | | minimizing the legal consequences if you hire an |
| probably calling from the booking desk and is standing | | | | experienced DWI attorney. Take some time and |
| in front of a police officer. Or he or she is calling from | | | | research local attorneys. Once one is hired, information |
| the holding area and can be overheard. What your | | | | passed between your child and the attorney is |
| child says to you on the phone can be detrimental to | | | | privileged. The attorney will not be able to update you |
| their case. Calmly explain that they will be able to tell | | | | on the case or explain the details of the arrest without |
| you everything later. | | | | authorization-even if you are footing the bill. |
| You must encourage your child not to waive their right | | | | Depending on the circumstances, a DWI arrest can |
| to remain silent or to legal counsel. Everything your | | | | affect the rest of the child's life. New Hampshire takes |
| child says while in police custody can be put in their | | | | DWI very seriously and offenses carry stiff penalties. |
| case file and be used against them. Stress that they | | | | The whole process is going to be difficult on everyone |
| are to remain calm, courteous and quiet. You need to | | | | involved. Odds are, you will be caught off guard when |
| know the charge, if bond has been set, and if not, | | | | you receive the initial phone call, and you may feel |
| when it will be set. These are the only questions to be | | | | overwhelmed throughout the entire process. Choosing |
| answered on the phone. | | | | the right attorney will go a long way toward not only |
| If the child is too distraught to answer, have him give | | | | building your child's defense, but also supporting your |
| the phone to the desk sergeant or jailer. Let your son | | | | family through a very difficult time. |
| or daughter know that you are going to help them and | | | | For more information on how to choose the right |
| will see them as soon as you can. | | | | attorney, read Picking a DWI Attorney. |
| Once you know the amount of bond, get your child out | | | | |