What to Do Immediately If You or Your Child Is Arrested in Pennsylvania
An arrest is often sudden and disorienting. For many families, it happens late at night, on a weekend, or during a moment when no one knows what to do next. Whether the person arrested is you or your child, the first hours after an arrest can shape the entire case.
Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system moves quickly at the beginning. Decisions made—or mistakes made—during this early window often have lasting consequences. Understanding what to do, and just as importantly what not to do, can make a meaningful difference.
Stay Calm and Limit Communication
The most important step after an arrest is also the hardest: remain calm. Emotions run high, especially when parents are involved, but panic leads to mistakes.
Anyone who has been arrested has the right to remain silent. That right exists for a reason. Police are trained to ask questions in ways that encourage people to talk, even when those statements can later be used against them. Attempting to “clear things up” or explain the situation almost always backfires.
Family members should also be cautious. Calling police stations repeatedly or confronting officers rarely helps and may complicate matters.
Understand That an Arrest Is Not a Conviction
An arrest means law enforcement believes there is probable cause that a crime occurred. It does not mean guilt has been proven. Charges can be reduced or dismissed, and cases often look very different weeks or months later than they do on the night of the arrest.
This is especially true in cases involving alleged alcohol or drug use, disputes between acquaintances, or campus-related incidents.
The Importance of the Preliminary Arraignment
In Pennsylvania, most arrests are followed by a preliminary arraignment before a magisterial district judge. This is where bail is set and initial conditions of release are imposed.
What many people do not realize is that bail conditions can affect housing, travel, and contact with others. Violating these conditions—even unintentionally—can result in immediate re-arrest.
This stage connects directly to broader bail and pretrial release issues, which are explained in more detail on the firm’s bail-focused resources.
Do Not Discuss the Case With Others
It is natural to want reassurance from friends or family, but conversations, text messages, and social media posts can become evidence. This is particularly dangerous for younger defendants who are accustomed to sharing details online.
Silence is not an admission of guilt. It is protection.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Early
Early legal involvement allows for:
Guidance before statements are made
Protection during bail proceedings
Preservation of evidence
Strategic planning before charges solidify
Waiting until “things get worse” often means options have already narrowed.
A Final Word for Parents
Parents often want to step in and fix the situation immediately. While support matters, control over the legal strategy should be left to experienced counsel. Acting too aggressively or emotionally can unintentionally harm the defense.
If an arrest has occurred, early, informed action is critical.
About Frank Walker Law
Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, and Personal Injury Attorney who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, a member of the National College for DUI Defense, Best Attorneys in America, Best Law firms of America, America’s Greatest Attorneys, and a Top AVVO Rated attorney, with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.
Additionally, you can find Attorney Walker on YouTube, TikTok, the Pittsburgh Attorney Podcast and the West Virginia Attorney Podcast, where he gives legal tips (not advice!) and discusses the pressing legal issues of the day.
If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or are seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-532-6805 (Pittsburgh), 304-413-0179 (Morgantown), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.