Police Station Representation
Police Station Advice & Voluntary Police Interview Solicitors
You have been asked to attend a Voluntary Police Interview
If you have received a telephone call, a letter, or a visit from the police requesting that you attend an interview, it is likely that you may be under investigation for a criminal offence.
It is a common misconception that a "voluntary" interview is informal or that you are assisting with police enquiries. This is rarely the case. A voluntary interview is conducted under Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), and anything you say may be recorded and used in evidence against you.
The police commonly use voluntary interviews when investigating allegations involving:
- Sexual offences
- Assault (including GBH, ABH or common assault)
- Domestic abuse
- Fraud
- Tax and VAT evasion
- Money laundering
- Regulatory investigations
Whether it is the police or another investigative authority such as HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), or Trading Standards, our team is ready to provide you comprehensive assistance.
What to do if asked to attend a Voluntary Interview at a Police Station
A voluntary police interview can be very serious. The police often use these interviews as an alternative to making an arrest when they are still trying to determine if a crime has been committed.
It is often the case that, when the police contact you to request your attendance at a voluntary interview, they will provide little or no detail as to the nature of their enquiries. This can leave you unaware of the seriousness of the situation they are facing.
For this reason, it is essential that you seek advice from an experienced solicitor before attending any such interview.
At KANGS our defence solicitors will:
- Obtain disclosure from the police
- Explain the allegations
- Advise upon your legal position
- Prepare you for interview
- Attend the interview with you
- Protect your interests throughout the investigation
Prior to the interview, we will conduct a detailed and confidential consultation with you to consider the disclosure provided by the police. We will advise you on the strength of the evidence and develop the most effective defence strategy based on your individual circumstances.
We will also provide clear, strategic advice on how to conduct yourself during the interview, including whether it is in your best legal interests to answer questions or submit a prepared statement.
Why Choose KANGS
KANGS is nationally recognised for its expertise in criminal defence, representing clients across the full spectrum of criminal investigations.
Our solicitors regularly act for clients facing allegations ranging from less serious matters to the most complex and high-profile investigations conducted by:
- Police forces throughout England and Wales
- the Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- the National Crime Agency (NCA)
- other regulatory and prosecuting authorities
Contact us and speak to one of our expert criminal defence solicitors who will be happy to assist you.
For further information regarding police powers, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Testimonials
Police Interviews FAQs
Why have the police asked me to attend a voluntary interview?
The police may request that you attend a voluntary interview for a number of reasons, including that they:
- suspect your involvement in a criminal offence
- wish to question you in relation to allegations made by a third party
- are seeking to obtain and preserve evidence as part of an ongoing investigation
- do not consider it necessary to effect an arrest at that stage
Although attendance is described as voluntary, this should not be taken to mean that the matter is informal or without consequence. A failure to attend may, in certain circumstances, result in your arrest where the police consider such action to be necessary and proportionate.
Every case will turn on its own facts and it is imperative that you obtain specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
Do I need a solicitor if I am innocent?
Yes.
A common misconception is that legal representation is only necessary for those who are guilty.
In practice, many individuals invited to attend a voluntary interview have no prior experience of the criminal justice system and may be entirely innocent of any alleged wrongdoing.
Notwithstanding this, even an innocent individual may, without proper guidance:
- misinterpret questions,
- provide information that is incomplete or unclear,
- make statements which appear inconsistent,
- inadvertently undermine a viable defence.
For these reasons and more, obtaining expert legal advice at the earliest possible stage is critical in protecting your position.
How can KANGS help?
Police Station Representation
Our dedicated Rapid Response Team of lawyers is available 24/7 to represent clients in police stations. We assist and represent individuals in need of urgent advice and support while under arrest and being detained in a police station, and individuals who have been invited to attend an interview under caution by the police or any other investigating authority.
The right advice can be the difference between being charged and prosecuted for an offence or being released without charge, or between a conviction and an acquittal if the matter proceeds to court.
We know an arrest can have a devastating impact on an individual’s reputation and professional life, and curtail the ability to travel abroad. In addition, an arrest will lead to DNA samples, photographs and fingerprints being taken and retained by the police. Our team is experienced in persuading the police to dispense with the need to arrest individuals and avoid the adverse consequences mentioned above.
We'll seek disclosure of questions and information to be put to you in an interview and anticipate the matters likely to be raised in the interview. We will also provide advice and guidance on whether you should answer questions or exercise your ‘right to silence’.
If the matter proceeds to court, our serious crime team has a proven track record of defending clients in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court.
Contact KANGS
The expert lawyers at KANGS are available to assist you. We can arrange initial consultations in person, by video call or telephone.
Please contact one of our experts listed below or contact us at:
Who do we represent?
We act for a wide range of clients including financial, medical and legal professionals, youths, company executives, sports and media personalities and private individuals.
A sample of recent work includes:
- Politician accused of sexual offences
- Accountant investigated for financial misconduct offences
- TV presenter accused of sexual offences
- Premier League footballer accused of driving offences
- Solicitor and Partner of national law firm facing allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds
- Company director accused of evasion of VAT and excise duty
- Media personality accused of historic sexual offences
- Surveyor facing fraud allegations
- International cricketer accused of driving offences
- City professional accused of domestic violence
- European national accused of murder
- Premier League footballer accused of sexual offences
- Solicitor accused of multi-million pound fraud
- City professional accused of assault
- Company director accused of people trafficking
- International company facing cyber-crime allegations
When can KANGS help?
We can assist you in the following circumstances:
- If you have been contacted by the police or other investigating authority to attend an interview on a voluntary basis, we can liaise with the investigating officer on your behalf and represent you at the interview
- If you have been arrested and taken to the police station, you are entitled to request legal advice and assistance. This can be done by you when you arrive at the police station or by a third party (friends or family) on your behalf. Our 24/7 Rapid Response Team is able to attend police stations nationwide at short notice
- If you have already been interviewed, we can advise and assist if you have been charged, released pending investigation or released on police bail
What happens after a voluntary police interview?
Several outcomes may arise following a police interview including but not limited to:
- No Further Action (NFA): The investigation may conclude with no further action taken against you.
- Further Investigation: The police may continue their enquiries whilst additional evidence or information is obtained before a final decision is made.
- Charge: Where sufficient evidence exists and the relevant legal test is satisfied, you may be formally charged with a criminal offence.
Our solicitors will continue to advise and represent you at every stage of the investigation, ensuring that your kept informed and your rights are protected throughout.
What are Police Search & Seizure Powers?
Usually at the time of making an arrest, police officers and investigators will enter and search business and residential premises in accordance with a search warrant.
The powers extend to:
- Seizure of material including hard copy documents, computers, electronic data, mobile telephones, hard drives and back up storage units
- Forensic experts forming part of the team of investigators downloading and copying electronic material on site thereby allowing the business to retain the hardware
How can KANGS help during Search & Seizure?
Seeking early advice and assistance is vitally important. Our Team is experienced in attending such searches and protecting the rights of corporate and individual clients whilst the investigators conduct their work.
We can assist by:
- Attending numerous locations simultaneously to cover all premises affected by the search warrants
- Checking the legality and validity of the search warrant at the outset and advising you accordingly
- Remaining present throughout the search process to ensure the investigators do not exceed the power granted by a court warrant
- Ensuring that the unnecessary seizure of material is prevented thereby causing our client minimum disruption
- Liaising with the investigators on your behalf before, during and after the search
- Where appropriate, asserting legal professional privilege or confidentiality in relation to certain material and preventing its disclosure to the investigators
- Making representations to the investigators to ensure the search and seizure of material is conducted within their appropriate powers and the scope of the search/seizure is lawful
- Attending a closing meeting with the investigators at the conclusion of the search
- Providing advice on managing ongoing reputational damage issues
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