What happens upon arrest?

If you can make a bond (money to secure your release), then you will be released from jail, but only if you have no other holds. (A hold is a detainer placed on you by another governmental agency which requires you be held pending clearance of the hold.) If you cannot make a bond (or do not qualify for pretrial release), then you will remain in jail while your case is pending. If you are free on bond, then you will be expected to hire an attorney to represent you. However, if you can prove that you are an indigent (unable to afford to hire an attorney), then you may request that the court provide you with a court-appointed lawyer. The court itself must pay for the services of the court appointed lawyer. A court appointed lawyer may be either a private lawyer who takes court appointments or may a public defender. If you are not a U.S. Citizen, in most cases ICE will place a hold on you. The way in which your criminal case is handled will directly affect your resident status.