Being arrested is frightening. Knowing your rights and the steps to take immediately after arrest can protect your position before you ever see a courtroom.
If you are arrested in Queensland, the most important thing you can do is exercise your right to silence. You are not required to answer questions from police beyond providing your name and address. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Politely but clearly tell police that you wish to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions.
You have the right to contact a lawyer as soon as practicable after arrest. Police must allow you to do this. If you do not have a lawyer, you can contact a duty lawyer through Legal Aid Queensland, or call a criminal lawyer directly. BJH Law answers calls at any hour at no cost for early advice.
If police want to conduct a recorded interview, you can decline. A "record of interview" is a formal question-and-answer session recorded by police and used as evidence. In most situations, declining to participate until you have spoken with your lawyer is the better course. There are limited exceptions, but your lawyer can advise you on those.
Once you have been charged, you will either be released on bail or held in custody. If bail is refused, an application can be made to the Magistrates Court for a bail review. Early legal advice dramatically improves bail prospects. The sooner your lawyer is involved, the more they can do to protect your position before the first court date.
After arrest, write down everything you can remember about what happened, what was said, and who was present. Memory fades quickly and your recollection of events may be critical to your defence. Keep that record private and share it only with your lawyer.