Let’s say I get arrested on Friday the 22nd of December 2023, will I be spending Christmas in jail?
That truly is a scary question. However, yes, in a nutshell, you may have spent Christmas in jail! If you, however, managed to succeed in that quest and not get arrested, there is another Mission to be Responsible challenge that lies ahead.
If you get arrested this Friday the 29th of December 2023, it is indeed possible for you to start your 2024 calendar year miserably stuck between the bars of a holding cell. The mission is to avoid this, and to be a Holiday Hero.
You see, following your arrest, the State has 48 hours to take you to Court. At Court is where your lawyer argues that you are not a flight risk and no danger to society, meaning you should be released and not constrained during the duration of the criminal trial.
Back to the 48 hours/ two days’ time limit, this unfortunately refers to business/ Court days.
In other words, should you get arrested on Friday the 29th of December 2024… and if the alleged crime committed is a serious crime where the option of Police Bail does not exist (in other words assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm/ murder/ rape or it is a smaller crime but not your first arrest) …you would need to be brought before the Court to apply for bail, i.e. your release.
Seeing as the it is a public holiday on Monday the 1st of January 2024, the first next business day is the 2nd of January 2024. This means you would’ve spent 4 nights being locked up. Not a great way to ring in the new year!
This New Year’s Eve, please be a Holiday Hero. Do not drink and drive or engage in any criminal or illegal activities. The mission is to be responsible and spread kindness. Should you as a Legal Hero Policyholder, however, find yourself in a sticky situation, please call our emergency arrest line, available 24/7 and not limited to business hours.
From all at Legal Hero, we wish you a blessed and prosperous 2024. Thank you for choosing Legal Hero, we hope to be your hero for many years to come!
