HOW TO AVOID BEING ARRESTED

A simple practical guide to avoiding arrest under most circumstances.

1. First Things First
The simplest way to avoid being arrested is to do nothing wrong. No Joke! Stay away from disreputable types like gangs, people hanging out on the corner and in bars, pool halls and social clubs. Why? Because that's where most of the problems begin. No kidding!! Read on.

2. No Smoking, Alcohol or Drugs
Again, simple stuff, but often overlooked. While this may not be received with open arms by many people, these are actual ingredients to being arrested. Smokers are often inconsiderate to others. Just watch where they throw their cigarette butts and how often they thoughtlessly smoke in the presence of others who don't smoke. It usually indicates that they are focused upon themselves and their own problems and don't much care about others and their needs. Alcohol lowers people's inhibitions, but it also does away with their judgment and consideration for others. That's often how fights break out in and around bars. Someone bumps into another and before you know it, there's a fight and there's often an arrest. Drugs are often similar in that one's judgment is fundamentally impaired with the use of drugs and it takes some judgment to know what to do in various situations. This leads to doing stupid things which often leads to arrest.

3. Avoid Making Decisions While under the Influence
Statistically, 85% of prison inmates report they were intoxicated on drugs or alcohol when they committed their crime that landed them in jail. Get the picture? Don't make the decision to commit a crime while you are intoxicated on anything - drugs or alcohol - or anything else. Drugs and alcohol impair your normal judgment and that can lead to making very bad choices. Avoid anyone who is trying to induce you into doing something (even if you're not quite sure its illegal) while you are intoxicated. It usually turns out badly (does anyone remember "Cool Hand Luke" and how he became incarcerated?)

4. Be the First to Call the Police
What? That's right! If you've been in a fight and it’s questionable as to who started the fight, then it’s usually best if you are the first to call the police. That usually makes you the Complainant and the person about who you've fought with - the Defendant. While this is not always the case, it usually is good advice. Of course, if you've gotten the best of the fight and left the person bleeding in the road, then that advice may not apply. But generally, it’s best to call the police first. That way, they first consider you as the injured party and then later investigate more fully. If you don't call first and the other party does - then you become the Defendant after getting arrested. Those are the basic ways to avoid being arrested. Good luck.