Police station attendance

Police Station Attendance

With over 20 years’ experience in both criminal and road traffic cases there are not many offences that we have not dealt with from a very minor careless driving offence to a very serious death by dangerous driving. If the police want to speak to you about a road traffic offence it is very important that you are represented by someone who is knowledgeable and competent in the police station. It will be an unfamiliar environment for many people so it is important that you have confidence in your representative.  

Voluntary Interview

You may be asked to attend  a voluntary interview at the police station. This means you do not have to stay and you do not have to agree to be interviewed. In order to assist you to make an informed decision as to whether or not you are prepared to speak to the police under caution, you should seek legal advice.  

Interview after an arrest

Before a person is arrested the police must have reasonable grounds for suspecting that they have committed an offence or are about to commit an offence. Once arrested the police may interview the suspect at the police station.  

Interview Procedure

The interview will normally be recorded on a CD or tape. Occasionally the police will take a contemporaneous handwritten note of the interview but this will normally only occur when it is a very minor offence. At the beginning of the interview the suspect will be cautioned which is when the officer warns the arrested person that they do not have to say anything but it may harm their defence if they do not mention, when questioned something which they later rely on in court. Anything they do say may be given in evidence.  

Charge

When the officer in charge of the investigation believes there is enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction he must bring the suspect before the police station Custody Officer who will decide whether the suspect should be charged with an offence. In most cases the Custody Officer will have to liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service who will advise on what course of action should be taken by the police.