Court Defence
Representation for criminal court hearings, trials, sentencing, and appeal proceedings.
CRIME
Police Interviews
SPECIALIST CRIME SERVICES
Protecting your rights at police stations
We are expert police interview solicitors, here to protect your rights at the police station with free representation, clear legal advice, and a careful interview strategy tailored to your case.
Our crime team provides police station representation when you’re arrested or attend voluntarily. We attend interviews, advise whether to answer questions, give a no comment interview or a prepared statement. We ensure police follow procedures, and protect your position from the outset.
Prompt support when it matters
Fast, responsive help whenever you are arrested or asked to attend the police station for interview, so you are not facing the process alone.
Free legal advice
Free representation under police station duty solicitor scheme regardless of financial circumstances.
Interview attendance
Attending all police interviews advising during questioning and ensuring proper procedures throughout.
Interview strategy
Advising whether to answer questions, give a no comment interview or a prepared statement based upon the allegations and the evidence disclosed.
Rights protection
Ensuring police respect your rights including rest breaks, medical attention, and appropriate adult attendance.
POLICE STATION ADVICE
Why you need a solicitor
Police interviews determine investigation outcomes. Admissions made without understanding full allegations or evidence often prove impossible to retract later. You’re entitled to free legal advice before and during interviews. Never waive this right, as early advice can improve outcomes.
Interview representation
Attending police interviews advising you during questioning, ensuring police follow codes of practice, and protecting you from improper questioning techniques.
Interview strategy advice
Advising whether to answer police questions, give a no comment interview or a prepared statement based upon the allegations, disclosed evidence, and potential defences.
Voluntary attendance
Representing you when police ask you to attend stations voluntarily ensuring you receive same rights and protections as arrested suspects.
OUR SERVICES
Related Services
Police station representation is the starting point for all criminal matters. Our crime team provides comprehensive support at every stage.
Fraud Defence
Advice and defence representation for fraud investigations, allegations, and proceedings.
Regulatory Defence
Defence support for regulatory investigations, enforcement action, and professional allegations.
Youth Court
Sensitive representation for young people facing police or Youth Court proceedings.
Need guidance right now?
William, our virtual assistant, can answer your questions about police interviews
OUR CREDENTIALS
Expert police station solicitors
Fosters Solicitors is ranked Top Tier by Legal 500 UK for General Crime. Our accredited police station representatives hold Law Society Criminal Litigation accreditation and are available, every day, for free advice.
Always free
Police station advice and representation is free under duty solicitor scheme regardless of your finances.
Accredited representatives
Law Society accredited police station representatives with extensive interview experience.
Immediate attendance
We attend police stations urgently ensuring you receive advice before interviews commence.
FAQs
Police Interview FAQs
Police arrest you when they have reasonable grounds to suspect you have committed offences. They must caution you and explain the reasons for your arrest. You’re taken to police stations where custody sergeants authorise detention. You’re entitled to inform someone of your arrest, free legal advice, and medical attention if needed.
Police can search you, take photographs, fingerprints, and DNA samples. Custody sergeants review detention regularly. Police must interview you or make charging decisions within detention time limits, usually 24 hours but extendable to 36 or 96 hours for serious offences.
No, you have the right to remain silent. Police caution you that you don’t have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you don’t mention something you later rely on in court. This doesn’t mean you must answer all questions.
No comment interviews can be used when you don’t know full allegations or evidence. However, courts can draw adverse inferences from silence in some circumstances. We advise on appropriate strategies balancing risks. Never answer questions without legal advice.
Innocent people should still take legal advice before interviews. Many innocent people make statements later interpreted as admissions or create inconsistencies undermining defences. Police may misunderstand situations or have incorrect information.
Legal advice helps innocent people explain positions clearly without unnecessary detail. Prepared statements can set out key facts while avoiding detailed questioning about peripheral matters. Innocence doesn’t mean you should answer all questions without considering implications.
Police can initially detain you for up to 24 hours before charging or releasing you. Superintendents can authorise extensions to 36 hours for indictable offences. Magistrates can authorise further detention to 96 hours maximum. These limits don’t apply to terrorism offences.
Custody sergeants review detention regularly ensuring it remains necessary. Police must progress investigations diligently. Unnecessary delays breach detention time limits. We challenge unlawful detention and apply for release if police breach time limits or detention becomes unnecessary.
Police either charge you, release you under investigation, release you on bail or take no further action. Charging means prosecutors decided there’s sufficient evidence to prosecute. You’ll receive court dates. Release under investigation means police continue investigating without bail conditions. Bail means you’re released pending further investigation sometimes with conditions like residence requirements or curfews.
We advise on bail applications and challenge unnecessary conditions. If charged, we represent you in court. If released, we liaise with police and advise when further action occurs. Many cases are discontinued after interviews or further investigation reveals insufficient evidence.
Meet our crime team
Our team of crime solicitors is comprised of compassionate and skilled legal professionals dedicated to supporting you through the most sensitive and personal legal matters.
Insights
Latest News and Insights
GET IN TOUCH
Been arrested or asked to attend the police station?
Contact our Crime team now for advice.