Criminal charges can result from situations that may not have started as criminal offenses. Simple interactions can spiral out of control and before you know it, you could be handcuffed and in the back of a police car, facing serious penalties.

In these situations, it can be easy to feel like it was a simple misunderstanding, and all you need to do is give your side of the story to clear it all up. However, this can be more frustrating and difficult than you anticipate, and instead of going home after a bad night, you could wind up in jail.

To illustrate how quickly a dispute can get out of control, we can look at one situation that occurred in another state.

According to reports, a cab driver picked up three women and drove them to their destination. Upon arrival, however, the women apparently disagreed with the fare and said they would not pay.

This is where the cab driver evidently made a bad choice. Instead of calling police or trying to resolve the matter peacefully, he allegedly locked the doors and drove away while the women were still inside his cab.

After 10 minutes, the women were able to unlock the doors and get out. No one was hurt, but the driver was charged with three counts of abduction, which is a felony in most places, including Florida. If convicted, he could be facing several decades in prison.

A prison sentence is probably the last thing this driver expected to face when he started his shift. Like most people who wind up in an altercation similar to this, he may have had no intention of getting in a fight or putting people in danger. However, all it takes is one ill-advised decision to make a bad situation worse.

This is why it can be so crucial to consult an attorney in the event that you are arrested. Even if you feel incredibly remorseful or justified in your response to a specific situation, the police may not see it your way. Having an attorney by your side can help you avoid making statements that can be used against you and allow you to defend yourself.