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Just Been Arrested, or Is Someone You Love In It Right Now?

Here's what to do first, what's actually free, and how to get a real person's help fast. General information, not legal advice for your specific case, but a place to actually start.

Talk to a real person, free

A free intake call helps map out where the case actually stands and what's realistically on the table, before anything gets decided.

Book a free intake call

Know the exact questions to ask

Every "exact question to ask" from every published article, organized by case stage, printable and free.

Get the printable checklist

What actually happens next

Arrest is the start of a process with real stages: booking, arraignment, bail, discovery, and eventually a plea or trial. Nobody explains this in order unless you ask. See the full walkthrough of what actually happens after an arrest in New York State for the complete process, or jump straight to the piece that matters most: restorative justice and diversion options, since those can resolve a case without a conviction ever going on the record, but only if someone asks before a plea is entered.

If it's someone you love, not you

Most of this site is written for exactly that position: a family member trying to figure out what's happening and what to ask, at 2am, before the next court date. The free guide and the printable checklist are both built to be handed to someone else, not just read alone.

Common questions

What should I do immediately after an arrest in New York?

Get oriented fast: know that you have a right to a lawyer at arraignment, that bail may or may not apply depending on the charge, and that diversion or restorative justice options may exist even if nobody raises them for you. A free intake call can help map out where the case actually stands.

Do I need a lawyer right away?

New York guarantees a lawyer at arraignment, but not necessarily in the hours before it, which is exactly when some of the most consequential decisions get made. See the right to counsel gap in New York for what actually happens in that window.

What if I can't afford a private attorney?

A public defender will be assigned at arraignment at no cost. Public defenders in New York carry heavy caseloads, worth understanding going in so you know what questions are worth asking about capacity on your case. See why your public defender might be carrying 100+ cases.

Is Case Analytica a law firm, or will Dean represent me in court?

No. Case Analytica provides general information about the New York State justice system, not legal advice or legal representation for a specific case. A free intake call can help connect you with a licensed attorney or the right local resource if representation is needed.

Is there help if it's someone I love who was arrested, not me?

Yes. Most of what's on this site is written for families and loved ones trying to figure out what's happening and what to ask, not just for the person in custody.

How much does this cost?

The articles, the free guide, the printable checklist, and the free intake call are all free, with no paywall. Case Navigation is a separate, paid option for ongoing support between court dates, for anyone who wants more than the free call provides.