Police Station Advice

At Sonn Macmillan Walker, we provide clear, strategic and robust police station advice to protect your position from the outset. Our experienced criminal defence lawyers represent clients at police stations across London and further afield across England and Wales – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Legal advice – free of charge

If you are interviewed at a police station, you are entitled to free and independent legal advice (regardless of your income). This applies whether you have been arrested or are attending for a voluntary interview under caution.

The police station stage is often the most important point in any criminal investigation. Decisions made before and during interview can have lasting consequences. What you say, or do not say, may affect charging decisions, bail, the scope of the investigation and the way your defence is presented later.

Early expert advice helps ensure that your rights are protected, that the police act fairly, and that a considered strategy is put in place from the very beginning.

What happens at the police station

After arrest, or when attending voluntarily for interview, you may be booked in, spoken to by the custody officer, and asked to provide details such as your name, address and date of birth. The police may seek to question you under caution.

Before any interview takes place, your legal representative can speak to the officer in charge to obtain disclosure about the allegation and the evidence said to support it. This allows us to advise you properly on the best course to take, whether that involves answering questions, providing a prepared statement or exercising your right to silence where appropriate.

We attend interviews, monitor how the investigation is conducted, challenge unfair or improper questioning where necessary, and advise on issues such as searches, seizure of devices, bail conditions and release under investigation. Our aim is to protect your position at every stage and to identify opportunities to resolve matters as early as possible.

Importance of legal advice

In England and Wales, you can ask for the duty solicitor, or you can ask the police to contact your own criminal defence solicitor. If you ask for Sonn Macmillan Walker, the police should contact us so that we can advise and represent you. In most cases, you should not answer questions until you have received legal advice.

Voluntary interviews still require careful advice

Being invited to attend a police station voluntarily does not mean the matter is minor or that legal advice is unnecessary. A voluntary interview is still conducted under caution and can form the basis of a prosecution. People sometimes attend believing they can explain matters informally, only to find that they have unintentionally strengthened the case against them. We provide pre-interview advice, contact the investigating officer in advance where appropriate, and ensure that any interview is approached with a clear and informed strategy.

How Sonn Macmillan Walker can help

• 24/7 police station representation for clients under arrest or attending voluntarily
• Specialist criminal defence advice from the earliest stage of an investigation
• Representation in cases ranging from general crime to serious and complex allegations
• Strategic pre-charge engagement, including written representations where appropriate
• Continuation of representation from police station to magistrates’ court, Crown Court and beyond
• Clear, pragmatic advice delivered with sensitivity, discretion and determination

If you or someone you know needs urgent police station advice, contact Sonn Macmillan Walker immediately. Early representation can be critical. We have a team of duty qualified solicitors who have a breadth of experience to advise in a large range of matters.

Our experienced criminal defence team is available 24 hours a day to provide prompt, effective support and to protect your interests from the very start of the investigation.