Regardless of what they’ve been accused of or how you feel about the situation, it is your duty as a parent to protect your child when he or she gets in trouble with the law. You might be the only person they can to, so it’s important that you are there for them at this very delicate time in their life.
To find four things you absolutely must do when your child gets into hot water with the authorities, be sure to read on.
Stay calm
As soon as you are made aware of the fact that your child has been arrested, whether you are there when the arresting takes place or whether you receive a call from the police station later on in the day, your instant reaction will be to act in an angry and irrational manner. You’ll want to do nothing more than go to the police station, find your son or daughter, and drag them home. It’s essential, though, that you seek to remain calm at this time, as you acting irrationally could do more harm than good to the situation. Take a deep breath, assess the situation, and think about all the ways you can contribute to the situation in a healthy and worthwhile manner.
Don’t jump to conclusions
Similarly, jumping to conclusions could make the situation much more difficult than it needs to be. Don’t be too quick to berate your child or blame them for what has happened because, for all you know, they could have been set up or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time — remember, life’s not always black and white. Being too quick to cast your judgment in this instance might make your child feel like they have no support, and that could then have a devastating impact on their mental wellbeing.
Ensure your child doesn’t make the situation worse
Should you be granted the opportunity to talk to your child before they are interrogated by the police, you must seek to calm them down and keep them focused on the task in hand. Inform them of the importance of being truthful, being respectful, and being cooperative. If you don’t, they could end up acting erratically and subsequently making the situation a whole lot worse for themselves.
Get them home at all costs
No matter what events have transpired, as their parent, it is your duty to get your child home at all costs. Regardless of what they have or haven’t done, the best place for them as they await trial is with you at home, as this will be the best thing for their mental well-being.
To stand a chance of getting your child home, you should get in touch with a criminal defense attorney such as Charleston Law right away. With such a professional by your side, you will stand the best chance possible of sorting out your child’s legal issues before the situation spirals out of your control.
If your child is ever accused of breaking the law, it’s essential that you are proactive in your effort to protect them.
Image Credits: Praveesh Palakeel
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