How long will I have to spend in jail before I can defend myself?

If you have been arrested and charged with a criminal action, you will spend some time in jail, but it’s very difficult to estimate the exact time you will have to be there before you will be allowed a trial or the opportunity to defend yourself. Some people, for instance, are released on bail and allowed to live at home while they await trial, but others are kept in jail until the trial. The best way to know how long you will spend in jail prior to trial and after being arrested is to speak with a lawyer.