New York Criminal Booking Process
The police will book you after they arrest you. The New York booking process takes place at a police station. The New York booking process can include: recording background information such as name, address, age, date of birth, social security number, etc; multiple forms being filled out by the police; taking of a mug shot; collection of property; fingerprinting; a search of your body; a health screening and drafting of accusatory instruments. The New York booking process can take several hours.
Pay close attention to and keep a mental note of everything the police say and do. Do your best to keep a chronology or time-line of events in your mind. Keep a copy of all paperwork the police may hand to you. Do not sign anything. You should say nothing other than respectfully stating: your correct name; you want a lawyer, you want a phone call and you want to exercise your right to remain silent.
If your criminal defense lawyer knows you are being booked he will immediately call the police station to advise them that you are represented by counsel and that all questioning is to cease immediately. Your criminal defense lawyer will then immediately go to that police station -at any hour of the day or night -in an effort to protect your rights and secure your freedom.
You should be arraigned before a local criminal court judge within a reasonable time after being booked. My next blog posting will discuss the New York arraignment process.
