Arrest-Proof Yourself by Dale C. Carson and Wes Denham

Arrest-Proof Yourself: an ex-cop reveals how easy it is for anyone to get arrested, how even a single arrest could ruin your life, and what to do if the police get in your face, Dale C. Carson and Wes Denham. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2007 and 2014. e-book, 333 pages.

N.B.: This book comes with a disclaimer that attorney advice is your first and best resource concerning laws in your state. My review comes with the same disclaimer. 

     The first thing to remember when being questioned by the cops is that you have a right to have an attorney present. It's called lawyering up. Most cops don't want you to do this. But this is something that you should remember to do. 

     Arrest-Proof Yourself is about far more than "Get an attorney-- NOW!"  The book teaches the reader how to avoid arrest. There are changes that we can make and things we can do in order to avoid those iron bracelets. The first thing is to quit doing things that will cause a cop to consider you to be suspicious. There are specific suggestions about exactly how to do this.

     My favorite tip is to take out the back seat of the old clunker that you are allowing your teen to drive around. After removing the back seat, fill the space with yellow goo. Then give your kid a note explaining why you did this to produce to any police officer who pulls him or her over. I don't know anyone who has ever done this but I do know quite a few parents who ought to have done it. Some parents will search their teens' bedrooms and I am for that. [I also think that not allowing a teen to drive the car until he or she is out on their own and earning their own money is a cool thing too]. The search should also include their cars and computers. Same for if anyone living in your home-- regardless of age-- is arrested for any reason.

sapphoq reviews says: I highly recommend this book. I also think that parents would do well to present their teens with a copy of this book or at least read sections of it to them when they can't get away. 

Arrested by Wes Denham

Arrested: What to Do When Your Loved One's in Jail, Wes Denham. Chicago: Chicago Press Review, 2010. e-book, 266 pps.

Arrested is an ideal book for the family members of someone who is going through legal difficulties. Wes Denham is a business writer who has an excellent grasp on the law; http://folioweekly.com/Hot-Bullets-Cold-Truth,5556 for an example of an article that he wrote. He addresses concerns of those left behind to hold up the fort until the convict becomes an ex-convict.

When a loved one is arrested, there are several pitfalls to watch out for that Denham addresses. One of them is the high cost of phone calls from jail and what that can do to the family's budget. Another is making sure that your own living quarters and car are "clean" should law enforcement want to toss the place because your family member lives with you. And then there are the attorneys.

Denham discusses life as a prisoner and how that can effect the family who is outside the bars. He talks about commissaries, getting religion (while incarcerated), sex, and how to tell if your convict really wants to change. He discusses what to do if you are threatened (flee; and report the threat to the cops) and provides several handy checklists. The appendixes include helpful forms and letters and the most thorough vocabulary list of prison slang that I have ever seen in a book.

sapphoq reviews says: Wes Denham has written a pretty good book to guild families of people who are getting tangled up in the justice system. Arrested leaves nothing out. A valuable aid to thinking clearly in a situation where family members can often go to pieces. There is straight talk about financial concerns, avoiding prison rackets from the outside (don't send money to people when asked to, especially to other prisoners), and having a life. Highly recommended.