Do arrested criminals get one phone call?

According to pretty much every movie or TV show ever, you better make that phone call from the police station count (and hope that you didn’t dial the wrong number), because you only get to make one call.

Truth is, arrestees are generally permitted to use the phone and may make one or more calls. If you’re trying to find an attorney to represent you, or someone to post your bail, the police aren’t going to cut you off because you got a busy signal or the person you’re calling refused to accept the collect charges.

This myth was invested by Hollywood, and it’s been around so long it’s hard to determine where it first appeared. It’s basically used as a dramatic device… Who will the main character call? His ex-wife, the father that he hasn’t spoken to in ten years, his best friend? One call only is pure drama; two calls or four calls or seven calls doesn’t pack the same punch (and might make for some pretty boring viewing).