If a police officer stops you in your car...

You have the constitutional right to privacy.

When you are stopped in your car, you must show your driver's license, registration, and insurance. It's especially important that you keep your hands visible at all times, and notify the officer when you are reaching for each document. If the police officer asks to search your car or bags, you can say that you don't agree to be searched. If they ask if you if you are hiding something, you can claim your constitutional right to privacy.

"Officer, I'm going to reach for the registration in the glove compartment to my right."

"I believe in my Constitutional right to privacy, and I do not consent to any search."

If a police officer comes to your home...

You have the right to say no when a police officer asks you to consent to search your home.

If the police come to your home, you do not have to speak with them. You don't have to let them in unless they have a search warrant. If they have a search warrant, check the address, date, and judge's signature. If the police enter your home say, you can still tell them that you don't consent to a search.

If there is no warrant, and you decide to speak to the police, go outside and close the door behind you.

"Officer, I don't consent to a search."

If a police officer detains you...

You have the right to remain silent until your speak with your lawyer or your parent/guardian.

You have the right to an interpreter.

If you are under 18, you have the right to consult with your interested adult.

You should not answer any questions of the police without your lawyer present. If you are under 18, you cannot be questioned if you are detained without the presence of an "interested adult" which includes your parent or guardian. If you or your interested adult need and interpreter or experience any learning or cognitive disabilities, tell the officer immediately.

"Officer, I am remaining silent until I speak with a lawyer or an interested adult."

"Officer, I request the presence of an interested adult."

"Officer, I request the support of an interpreter."

If you are arrested...

You have the right to a bail commissioner and to a lawyer.

The first thing you want to know once you've been arrested is whether or not you'll be eligible for bail. You should request access to a bail commissioner; they are the person at the police station who is able to decide whether or not you'll receive bail and if you do, how much it will be.

Your next step is just important; contact MTW to help you get in touch with your legal advocate. They will help you navigate the process of getting in contact with legal representation. Lawyers may not always make the best choice for you, and you'll want a second support from your YDM if that's the case.

While in jail, the only person you should speak to about your case is your legal advocate. You must be brought to court within 24 hours of being arrested, a process your legal advocate should help you navigate.

"Officer, I would like to have a bail commissioner called."

Diversion

There are many diversion programs in Middlesex and Suffolk. Before you even get to court, be sure ask your lawyer whether or not you will be eligible for one.

As part of diversion, you can expect to:

• Stay enrolled in school, a job-training program, or receive mental health treatment

• Have your charges dropped

Bottom Line: It's in your best interest to be diverted from the court system entirely. Ask your lawyer as soon as you can about your options.

Arraignment

If you are charged with a crime, you'll be scheduled for an arraignment. An arraignment is when you show up in court to hear the charges against you.

At an arraignment you can expect to:

• Plead either not delinquent (in Juvenile Court) or not guilty (in Criminal Court)

• Get a lawyer assigned to your case

Bottom line: If you can't be diverted, you should plead not guilty or not delinquent.

Pre-Trial Detention OR Bail + Pre-Trial Probation

Based on the decision made at your arraignment, the judge will either order you to be detained, committed to DYS in the Juvenile Court System or in adult jail in the Criminal Court System, or will set bail and create some conditions of your pre-trial probation.

If you receive bail and pre-trial probation, you can expect to:

• Agree to conditions of probation

• Get a probation officer assigned to your case

Bottom Line: Pay careful attention to what you're agreeing to as part of your probation--violating it could result in a more severe sentence. Ask your lawyer to help you make sure you're not agreeing to something you can't hold up.

Trial

You will be expected to attend your trial, and any pre- or post-trial hearings. Your lawyer will help you navigate this process.

At trial, you can expect to:

• Hear the case being brought against you and any pieces of evidence involved

• Have who shows up for you (family, friends, and MTW) count

Bottom line: Show up to your court date, and let your people know when it is. People showing up for in court you can often have a big impact on your case.

Sentencing

After your trial, the judge or jury will reconvene to state the verdict of your charges and any sentence you will have to complete as a result of a guilty or delinquent verdict.

At the sentencing, you can expect to

• Hear what's ahead of you: no sentence, probation, commitment to DYS, or a term in adult prison

• Hear from your lawyer on how you can appeal the outcome

Bottom line: Show up to your sentencing, and make a point to ask your lawyer about potential appeals beforehand.

1. Get in touch with your lawyer - Lean on your YDM to help you access your lawyer's contact information.

2. Save their info and send it to your YDM - Once you have it on hand, make sure you give it to your YDM so they can be in contact as well.

3. Set up a meeting with your lawyer and MTW - Once you get in touch with your lawyer, set up a meeting with them and your YDM at MTW. At this meeting, come prepared with some questions about your case and a sense of the goals you're currently working on.

4. Know your upcoming court dates - Once you know your court date, share the information with your YDM, put it in your calendar and create a reminder so that you attend on time.

5. Know the status of your cases and the charges - Throughout a court process, things can change rapidly and it can be confusing. Be sure that you're asking your lawyer what the status of the case is as well as your charges. If you're comfortable sharing, tell your YDM them, too.

6. Meet weekly with your lawyer leading up to court - In order for your lawyer to best advocate for what you want, it helps to build a relationship with them. Ask them how often they are available to meet, and advocate for it to be as often as possible leading up to your court date.