Your rights at the time of arrest
Under CrPC s.50, the police officer must inform you of the grounds of arrest and (where the offence is bailable) your right to bail.
What to do in the first hour
- Stay calm. Ask politely: "Sir, what is the FIR number?"
- Demand to be informed of the offence under CrPC s.50.
- Ask the officer to call your family OR your lawyer (CrPC s.61 — produce within 24 hours).
- Do not sign anything you do not understand.
- Note the officer's name, badge number, and police station.
What the police cannot do
- Hold you for more than 24 hours without producing you before a magistrate (CrPC s.61).
- Coerce a confession (Article 14 of the Constitution; QSO 1984 Art. 38–40 makes coerced confessions inadmissible).
- Refuse to register an FIR for a cognizable offence (CrPC s.154).
When you definitely need a lawyer
The moment the offence is non-bailable, or remand is being requested. Find a lawyer → /search?domain=criminal.