Copyright (c) 2018 by Michael Rickard II

Note: Nothing in this blog should be interpreted as legal advice. I am only sharing my experiences in jail and prison (aka Con College).

If you've read my book Laughing All the Way to the Bank Robbery: How an Attorney Survived Prison, you know that I had some interesting experiences in a number of jails (For those of you out of the loop, there's a big difference between jail and prison, something I'll explain in a future blog).

So what happens if you're arrested and put in jail? Well, if it's your first time, you're going to find yourself in a whole new world regardless of your background. As we discussed in part one, jail won't be anywhere near as bad as it's portrayed on TV or in film, but it can still be dangerous. We discussed some rules for getting by and I'd like to share some more. An important rule (and arguably the most important) is don't trust anyone. It may sound cliched, but it's true. The second rule you want to remember and follow is not to discuss your case, regardless of whether you're guilty or innocent. There are always snitches looking to benefit from ratting on you, hoping to get a reduction in sentence or even something as seemingly mundane as extra food. It's okay to tell someone what you're charged with, but leave it at that. If anyone is persistent, just tell them your lawyer told you not to discuss the case (even if you don't have a lawyer).

The next thing to do is to get in touch with someone reliable. Your family and/or friends may have no idea where you're at so it's good to let someone know on the outside that can help you. You will soon realize how valuable your connection with the outside is. You'll want someone to be able to get funds for bail (should bail be granted) and to put you in touch with an attorney.