Arrest is the process of a person entering into the criminal justice system by being taken into custody for questioning or being charged with a crime. An arrest can be made by police officers, other law-enforcement personnel, or private citizens who have the legal right to do so in some places. When making an arrest, the police must have reasonable suspicion that a specific individual has committed or is about to commit an offense.
Once an individual is arrested, they are usually taken to a police station for further processing. They are usually read their Miranda rights and handcuffed while undergoing booking, which involves filling out various forms about the person and checking records for outstanding warrants or other past crimes.
If they have a warrant, the suspect will be taken to jail and kept there until their initial court appearance, also known as an arraignment. During this time, they will be told what charges they are facing and how they can make bail. If they are not able to make bail, they will be sent back to jail until their next court date.
Once they have an arraignment, the court will set up a trial date for the case to proceed. In the meantime, individuals that have been arrested will likely face social stigma and difficulty in their personal lives as they are viewed as criminals, especially if they are unable to make bail. This can lead to deteriorating relationships and isolation, and may have an effect on future employment opportunities, particularly for people in professional fields where background checks and security clearances are required.
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