Do you have a friend or family member that is going through legal difficulties? This will always be an upsetting time and you will want to do all that you can to help your loved one. It might seem like you are powerless but there are actually many ways in which you can help somebody experiencing legal difficulties in terms of providing both emotional and practical support, as well as helping assist them when coping with withdrawals if necessary. Whether they are guilty of the crime or not, there are a few steps that you can take to help during what can be a traumatic, surreal and scary experience for anyone.
Find Them Legal Support
One of the first steps to take when you have a loved one that has been arrested is to find them experienced legal support as they may struggle to do this from the inside. You can find lawyers that specialize in certain areas, such as possession and conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and you should always find these as they will know how to handle the case along with important aspects like the sentencing guidelines for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Posting Bail
You may also be able to help by posting their bail or arranging a bail bondsman for them. This allows them to get out of jail which can, obviously, be a huge relief. When they are released, you should make sure that they do not leave the area and that they attend all of their hearings too.
Providing Emotional Support
Your loved one will likely be in a state of shock and anxiety when they are having legal difficulties, so it is important that you can provide emotional support. You should spend time with them and try to help them to relax as best you can. You can also help provide practical support as they may find it hard or impossible to carry out typical daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning and running errands.
Gather Evidence
During this time, you could also help their lawyer to build their case by helping to gather evidence. The type of evidence will depend on the situation, but this might include receipts, CCTV footage, dashcam footage, witness contact details and anything else which might help.
Make Plans
If it looks like your loved one may be sent to jail then it is important that you are able to reassure them that you will help them in any way that you can. This is obviously a hugely upsetting and scary experience to go through but if they know that they have someone on the outside who is helping them in any way they can it can be reassuring and a huge help.
Nobody expects to see a loved one on the wrong side of the law but if it does happen, then you need to know how you can help. You can help in many ways, including both practical and emotional support. We hope that you never have to use the information in this guide but it is always a good idea to know what to do if you find yourself in this difficult situation.
