Police Station Representation
Being interviewed by the police is daunting and can be frightening. Knowing which questions to answer or if you should exercise your right to silence can make the difference between you being charged with an offence or not.
Our advice is never to attend or allow an interview or questioning by the police to take place without legal representation. Stryders solicitors are highly skilled at assisting at police stations and are available round the clock.
If you have been arrested and have been taken to a police station for an interview you will be offered police station representation in the form of a solicitor. Ask for Stryders by name and refrain from answering questions until your are properly represented. For help and advice you can contact Stryders on our emergency 24 hour line by calling 0333 577 2999.
Our legal advice at police stations is completely free whatever your income. Our criminal specialists have a wide range of experience in all offences including the most serious and will represent you in your best interests.
All of our solicitors have particular expertise in supporting young and vulnerable people caught up in the criminal justice system. Stryders is a member of the Youth Justice Legal Centre.
What is a Duty Solicitor and how are they different from a Police Station Representative?
A Duty Solicitor is a qualified criminal defence solicitor who is part of the Legal Aid Agency’s 24-hour rota, providing free legal advice to people who have not nominated their own solicitor when arrested. A Police Station Representative is a broader term that includes solicitors as well as Accredited Police Station Representatives who are authorised to provide legal advice and assistance under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
If you already know which solicitor you want to represent you, you do not have to use the Duty Solicitor. You have the right to request your own solicitor, who can provide the same free Police Station advice and assistance.
“I was on the verge of refusing a duty solicitor and making no comment regarding a fight I had with my son. The solicitor advised me how to present my version of the incident, and I was released without charge when I had already resigned myself to being charged.”
Client Review – ReviewSolicitors
How Stryders Can Help
At Stryders we understand that being arrested, detained, or asked to attend a police interview can be a stressful and uncertain experience. Whether you have been arrested, invited to attend a voluntary interview, or are assisting a family member who is under investigation, obtaining legal advice at the earliest opportunity is crucial.
Our experienced criminal defence solicitors provide expert Police Station Representation, offering clear advice, practical support, and robust legal representation throughout the investigation process. We will protect your rights, ensure you understand the allegations being made, and guide you through every stage of the police interview and detention process.
Legal representation at the police station is available free of charge, regardless of your financial circumstances. Our team is available to provide immediate assistance and support whenever you need it, helping you make informed decisions and ensuring your interests are protected from the outset.
Alicia Nottage – Criminal Defence Solicitor
Alicia Nottage is an experienced Criminal Defence Solicitor and Duty Solicitor, providing expert Police Station Representation to clients facing arrest, voluntary interviews, and criminal investigations. She offers clear advice, strong legal support, and dedicated representation to protect clients’ rights from the very start of a case.
In Summary
Being arrested or asked to attend a police interview can be a daunting experience, but it is important to remember that an investigation does not automatically result in a charge or conviction. Obtaining expert legal advice at the earliest opportunity can significantly impact the outcome of your case and help protect your rights throughout the process.
If you have been arrested, detained at a police station, or invited to attend a voluntary interview, it is essential to seek legal representation without delay. Contact Stryders immediately by calling our 24-hour emergency line on 0333 577 2999, or complete our contact us via our online for prompt advice and assistance.
Police Station Representation FAQs
Police Station Representation FAQs
The police want to talk to me about an incident. What should I do?
Contact us as soon as you are aware. We will try to negotiate a suitable time for you to attend the police station, which may avoid you being arrested.
I’ve been arrested and need legal assistance. What should I do?
If you have been arrested you are entitled to legal representation no matter what time of the day or night. It is very important to get legal advice as soon as possible and certainly before you are interviewed by the police.
Tell the police at the station that you would like to be represented by Stryders and they must notify us. A relative or friend can also contact us on your behalf.
Contact us today for immediate assistance on our 24-hour emergency line on 0333 577 2999.
I’ve agreed to talk to the police voluntarily. Do I still need legal assistance?
Even if you agree to talk to police voluntarily, only interviews which take place under caution can be used in evidence. Interviews under caution can take place can take place anywhere, not just in a police station. Other common places are at the roadside or at your home address.
Always take legal advice before doing the interview. It is your legal right and it is free, irrespective of your income.
Contact us today for immediate assistance on our 24-hour emergency line on 0333 577 2999.
Is the Duty Solicitor independent from the Police?
Yes. A common misconception is that the Duty Solicitor works for or alongside the Police. This is not true. Duty Solicitors are completely independent legal professionals whose role is to protect your rights, advise you on the law, and represent your best interests during the Police investigation.
Whether you choose the Duty Solicitor or ask for Stryders by name, the legal advice you receive is entirely independent of the Police and is provided in strict confidence.
Contact us today for immediate assistance on our 24-hour emergency line on 0333 577 2999.
Should I ask for the Duty Solicitor or choose my own solicitor?
If you do not have a preferred solicitor, the Police can arrange for the Duty Solicitor to attend free of charge. However, if you already know which criminal defence solicitor you want to represent you, it is usually better to request them by name.
At Stryders, our experienced Police Station Representatives and criminal defence solicitors provide the same free Police Station advice available under the Legal Aid scheme, allowing you to choose a legal team you know and trust rather than relying on whoever happens to be on the Duty Solicitor rota at the time of your arrest.
Contact us today for immediate assistance on our 24-hour emergency line on 0333 577 2999.
Is the Duty Solicitor service free?
Yes. Advice and assistance from a Duty Solicitor at the Police Station is free, regardless of your income or financial circumstances. This is funded through the Police Station Advice and Assistance Scheme, meaning you can receive independent legal advice without having to pay.
The same applies if you ask for Stryders to represent you instead of the Duty Solicitor. If you request one of our criminal defence solicitors or Accredited Police Station Representatives, your Police Station advice will also be provided free of charge where the scheme applies.
Contact us today for immediate assistance on our 24-hour emergency line on 0333 577 2999.
Can I change from the Duty Solicitor to my own solicitor?
Yes. If you have initially asked for the Duty Solicitor but later decide you would prefer your own solicitor, you can usually request that they take over your representation. Likewise, if you know you want Stryders to act for you from the outset, you should ask for us by name when you are informed of your right to legal advice.
Choosing your own solicitor means you know who will be representing your interests, rather than relying on whichever Duty Solicitor is on call at the time of your arrest.
Contact us today for immediate assistance on our 24-hour emergency line on 0333 577 2999.