Gotta Love the United States of America! “King of Freestyle” Stevie B. Arrested for $420,000 in Unpaid Child Support!

I don’t say it enough. But allow me to stop and scream the following: IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!*Phew!Now composes self.* I mean seriously people. You gotta love the United States of America and yes its legal justice system. Okay, who said we were perfect? But, when compared to majority legal systems around the world, I’ll take our system anytime, any day.

Do you know any other country that would arrest a famous celebrity while he is ready to perform for unpaid child support to the tune of $420,000? Did you all just give me a blank stare?! 🙂 Exactly my point. Proudly Nigerian-AMERICAN actually more like “Afropolitan” American. Emphasis on the American.

This is one heck of a story and all single mothers raising children on their own when the fathers are available and capable of paying child support will appreciate this. Stevie B. pleaded guilty to basically abandoning his children and I am unsure how he justifies being in complete oblivion to the fact that he has kids and they need to be fed, clothed, school supplies and daily upkeep met etc. $420,000 is a lot of money.

Nevertheless, if you are reading this, I want you to walk away with something, not just the Stevie B story.

What to know in case  you are arrested :

Understand What it means to be arrested?
When you are arrested, it simply means you are not free to leave the scene. It is not uncommon for criminal defense lawyers to advise their clients to inquire from the arresting officer a simple question, “Am I free to go.” If the answer is “yes” then there is no arrest. If it is “no” then you are under arrest.

Can you be detained without being arrested?
Can the police detain you i.e. hold you for questioning if they believe you might have been involved in a crime? They certainly can. Such detention should only be for a short period. It does not amount to an arrest.

Do I have to Answer Questions the Police Ask Me?
No. In fact, it is prudent to speak to an attorney, first, before answering the questions police officers might pose to you. This is also where you have probably heard about the “Miranda” warnings . . . common in many American legal movies and TV series consumed in Nigeria and Ghana. When you ask for an attorney, it automatically invokes your privilege to remain silent.

Officers will read the following rights to you and then ask if you understand the rights and if you waive them. If you waive them, then you can be questioned without an attorney present. If the police begins questioning you and you decide you do not want to answer any further questions, they must immediately stop asking further questions. If they ignore this and continue to ask questions and you continue to answer, understand that the statements you make can and are usually used against you in a court of law to prosecute you.

The Miranda Warnings typically take the form below:

1. You have the right to remain silent

2. If you give up the right to remain silent, anything you do and say can and will be used in a court of law against you

3. You have the right to speak with an attorney of your choice before questioning, and to have the attorney present during questioning.

4. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you by the court before any questioning, if you so desire. The attorney will not cost you anything; the services are free.

The police will also typically ask:

5. Do you understand each of these rights as explained to you

6. Having in mind and understanding your rights as explained to you, are you willing to talk to me (the police)*

GET A LAWYER
If you are arrested, get a lawyer ASAP!!

Read the Stevie B:

“Latin legend Stevie B just pled guilty to owing $420,000 in unpaid child support — but he has promised the court … he’s gonna do his damnedest to pay it off.

Stevie — real name Steven Bernard Hill — was arrested outside his concert in Massachusetts this weekend for owing the enormous sum to his baby mama.

Stevie was arraigned in court this morning — and according to court sources, he promised to pay $921.25 a week in child support, and an additional $500 a month toward his arrears. . .”

TMZ has the full story.

This story gets me playing legal DJ on the legal turntables with a repeat of Akon’s ‘Locked Up.’

Cheers,
Uduak

NOTE: For further information, please contact my office at 916-361-6506. Also be sure to follow me on twitter, www.twitter.com/uduaklaw