If you are a law-abiding citizen, your chances of being arrested are slight. It is important, though, that you know "Your Rights If Arrested." An informed and alert citizenry is the best guarantee that these rights will be upheld for the benefit of all persons at all times.

The basic rights of a citizen under arrest are stated in the Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendments of the "Bill of Rights" of the United States Constitution.

• "No person . . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law . . ." (Fifth Amendment).
• "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury . . . and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense." (Sixth Amendment).
• "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor shall cruel and unusual punishments be inflicted." (Eighth Amendment).

Since the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, the states have also had to guarantee these rights. This amendment provides: "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of the citizens of the United States . . ."