Voluntary Police Interview Lawyers
Updated on Thursday 21st March 2024
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A voluntary police interview is the same thing as an interview under caution. This can take place in criminal proceedings commenced by the police. In the case you refuse to present at the voluntary police interview, the authorities may consider your non-compliance suspicious. If you are faced with such a case, we recommend that you contact one of our voluntary police interview lawyers. One of our criminal defence solicitors in London can tell you your rights in this endeavor.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| What is a voluntary police interview? | A formal conversation at the police station when a criminal case is investigated and if there are beliefs a certain person might be implicated. |
Am I arrested during a voluntary police interview? | No, a voluntary police interview doesn't mean you are arrested. |
Is my testimony recorded? (YES/NO) | YES |
| Reading the rights (YES/NO) | YES |
| What can the police officer ask you? | He/she will ask you for information about a case he/she is investigating. You have the right not to answer the questions if you do not feel comfortable. |
| How can a defence solicitor help me in this case? | He/she can explain what a voluntary police interview is and what rights you have in this situation. |
| Witnesses involved | You can be accompanied by a person who will act as a witness, in case your lawyer cannot be present. |
| What happens if I don't go to the voluntary police interview? | The authorities may consider you a suspect in the case they are investigating. |
| Can I be arrested after a voluntary police interview? | It depends on the situation and if the authorities consider that you are involved in the investigated case and if there is evidence against you. |
| Can I leave during a voluntary police interview? | If you feel uncomfortable with the questions, you can ask to end the interview. Our lawyer can help you. |
| What can happen to the recorded material? | It can be used in the investigated case and even against you if it is proven that you were involved in criminal cases. |
| Can I refuse a voluntary police interview? (YES/NO) | YES |
| What happens if you refuse to attend a voluntary police interview? | The police may consider that you are involved in the investigated case. You can be arrested. |
| Asking for a solicitor at the police station | Available option. Our criminal lawyers in London can represent you. |
| Why choose our criminal solicitors in London? | They have experience in criminal cases, including voluntary police interviews. We can represent you from the start. |
What is a voluntary police interview?
In the case of criminal proceedings, a voluntary police interview can intervene. The persons involved can be interviewed by the authorities in certain cases of crimes. Thus, when an investigation takes place, and the authorities consider that you may be directly or indirectly involved in the respective case, a voluntary interview can take place. Here's what you need to know about the voluntary interview under caution, mentioning that our criminal lawyer in London can represent you:
- The people involved in police interviews are not arrested. They are invited to collaborate with the authorities to solve a case.
- Once you accept the voluntary police interview, everything you say will be recorded and used as evidence.
- Before starting the voluntary police interview, you will be read your rights. In this case, we recommend that you contact our voluntary police interview solicitors for representation in this case. You can rely on the support of our criminal solicitors in London.
- As long as you are not in police custody, you can leave the voluntary police interview at any time.
- When you are asked about a suspect in a crime, you have the right not to answer.
We, therefore, recommend that you get in touch with our voluntary police interview lawyers and discuss all the legal aspects before going to the police for this formality. It is good to know in advance what this entails, not to be caught off guard, without knowing your rights. Here, our defence solicitors in London can help. You can also discover the following infographic on this topic:
What happens if you refuse a voluntary interview?
An interview at the police is voluntary, so you are not obliged to present yourself and make statements if you do not wish to do so. Basically, you can refuse a voluntary police interview, but depending on the circumstances, the authorities can arrest you, if they think that this is one of the solutions for the investigated case. Thus, in custody, you will face the standard interview, but we recommend that you contact a lawyer to know your rights.
What happens during a voluntary interview by the police?
When you arrive at the voluntary interview by the police, you must be aware of what is happening. Here, a criminal lawyer in London, with experience in this matter, is useful to you. Here are some recommendations in this case:
- If you feel the need during the voluntary police interview, you can talk to your lawyer.
- You should not feel scared or confused during this interview, especially if your lawyer is with you. In addition, you have the right to speak with a specialist on the phone, if the voluntary police interview lawyer is not present with you.
- You can be accompanied by an adult person, who will act as a witness during the voluntary interview by the police if your lawyer is not present.
- You have the right to ask questions if you do not understand certain things that are communicated to you during the interview.
Considering these important aspects, we recommend you contact our criminal solicitors in London. They can represent you in case you are called to a voluntary police interview.
How should you act after the voluntary interview by the police?
Usually, after the voluntary interview by the police, you don't have to do anything special. But if you receive a police bail, you must talk to your lawyer to further clarify things in your case. And of course, you will be informed if you have to return to the police for a new interview under caution.
Can the police arrest me after the interview?
If, after the voluntary police interview, it is proven that you have connections with the investigated case, the officer who interviewed you has the right to detain you. You remain in police custody, but if the lawyer proves that this is not the case, then things can change. Moreover, your criminal defence solicitor must know your case and know why you are called to the voluntary police interview. This way you can also find out if the police have a case against you before a caution or restricted caution is assumed.
Why is a criminal defence solicitor in London recommended?
With the help of a criminal lawyer in London, you can find out why you are called to a voluntary police interview, if there is evidence against you, or other denials that can directly affect you. Such a solicitor has experience in such cases and can represent you whenever you face such problems. Here are other aspects:
- Your rights will be explained as well as what you must say or not say when you are at the voluntary police interview.
- Obviously, they will act in your best interest and if there is pressure from the police, you will be guided in the best direction.
- On the other hand, the criminal solicitor can tell you if it is necessary to leave the respective interview or if it can be interrupted, in case things degenerate.
When a voluntary police interview becomes an arrest
Although they are two different things, a voluntary police interview, and the arrest, the situation can change when the authorities consider this. Thus, if a police officer thinks that, following the interview, you should be arrested, he/she can do so by informing the custody officer, who in turn will inform you of this decision. You can be arrested for 24 hours, during which you cannot leave the premises or the police headquarters. You have the right to discuss this with one of our voluntary police interview lawyers.
If you find yourself in this situation, you can learn more from our specialists about a voluntary interview by the police.
Here is statistical data about voluntary police interviews in the UK:
- A total of around 61,354 voluntary police interviews have been registered in 2021.
- Around 3,647 voluntary police interviews ended up with charges in the same year, while out of court disposals were about 5,517.
We mention that our fraud solicitors in London can provide customers with legal advice in complex fraud cases. As such, our serious fraud solicitors in London can explain the defence strategies you can benefit from. On the other hand, you can rely on the support of our legal aid solicitors in London if you cannot afford the costs and if you are eligible. Moreover, if you are facing delicate problems where our drug solicitors can help, do not hesitate to ask for representation.
Would you like to know more about voluntary interviews under caution? Please feel free to contact us for information and legal assistance. Our voluntary police interview solicitors are at your disposal.