Police Station Representation

Why you should have a solicitor in the Police Station


If you are arrested and taken to a Police Station, you will be asked if you want representation by a solicitor. This is free and we always recommend that you are represented.

Being in a police station as a suspect is a stressful experience and you are involved in a complex process. Your solicitor's role is to explain and guide you through that process and give you advice about what are often very difficult choices. In particular at the begining of any tape recorded interview you will be cautioned that you do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you fail to mention something that you later rely on at court.

In other words an adverse inference of guilt may be drawn from your failure to mention material facts on which you later rely at trial. These provisions are aimed at preventing defendants from fabricating stories to explain the prosecution evidence against them. However there are many good reasons why people who have been arrested may want to remain silent or give a limited account of themselves through a prepared statement but not to thereafter answer questions. Even if you are prepared to answer all of the questions exactly how you describe your behaviour and motives can have a profound effect on the outcome, for example if you are putting forward an explanation of self-defence, or that you were simply a spectator to the crime. These judgements about what to do are difficult and that is why everyone who is arrested should ask for representation.

We are available to assist you 24 hours a day, contact us on :

02076045651 during office hours or on our emergency number after 5.30 on 079659118181