Somebody I know has been told over the phone by the police that they have to go to a police station (about 200 mile round trip) where they will be arrested and questioned under caution for a crime committed in that area. They have been advised to take a solicitor. Is this normal procedure?
2007-08-16 03:38:25 · 13 answers · asked by Tracey W 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
It could also be someone's idea of a stupid joke. I suggest your friend call the police department in question and find out for sure. It sure doesn't sound like any procedure I've ever heard about, and I was on the job for 28 years.
2007-08-16 04:55:42 · answer #1 · answered by Penguin_Bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the police contact people when they have their details. This way they do not have to go to the suspects house. It's just easier, and shows cooperation on the part of your friend. He can ask for the police to collect him, but the police might as well go along and nick him there in the first place. Either way he is not getting a lift home unless he is under 18, and even then there is a big maybe.
Your friend will be arrested on arrival and then booked into custody (20 minutes). He will be asked about his name, address, occupation, ethnic background, educational needs etc. At the end he will be asked if he wants a solicitor, and the answer is always YES!!! A duty solicitor is free of charge and is completely independant from the police. They will advise your friend on the crime, the interview process, bail and what will happen next. More importantly he will advise your friend on whether he gives an account in interview or not.
Your friend will then be interviewed. Depending on a lot of things, the officers will either bail your friend to return to the station, seek CPS advice on what or whether to charge, or he could just recieve a penatly notice or caution if it is a first and minor offence.
It does take a few hours, and the alternative is to not go and just wait for the police to turn up (they know where you live) and do the inevitable the hard way.
2007-08-16 11:23:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a more civil approach, despite the 200 mile round trip, the person knows they are going to be arrested and interviewed and can therefore be prepared by taking a solicitor and not having to wait in a cell while the solicitor is called.
If an offence has been reported and a suspect named the police have a statutory duty to investigate the offence, the only other option would be to issue an arrest warrant for the person and then they would end up being embarrased if they are arrested at home and spending more time at the police station before he matter is sorted.
2007-08-17 03:01:12 · answer #3 · answered by rick_wenham 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the plod want to interview you some 100 miles from your home, then they can come and fetch you, shame if it is inconveniant for them. They must also take you back again so let them run up the costs--not you!
You are NOT obliged to say anything at all, and any solicitor would advise you to do just that. The days of the rubber truncion are long dead!
2007-08-16 10:50:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I personally wouldn't ask someone to do that. I would arrange to meet them at their local police station and deal with them there. Yes it means the officer travelling but its been done plenty of times before without any real problems.
Likewise if I was the person they wanted to interview I would refuse to travel that distance. They could come and arrest you and take you back to their local station. At the very worst you have a one way trip to fund.
2007-08-16 13:17:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you commit an offence in, say, Devon and you live in Yorkshire, Devon police have every right to arrest you and take you to their own force area for questioning. For minor offences and some motoring offences, at their discretion you may be interviewed by your local police, but this would be at their discretion. The bottom line is, don't commit offences and you won't have this problem!
2007-08-17 14:41:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not normal procedure. Normally the police would either contact your local police who would arrange to take your statement under caution, or they would send someone from their own station to do the same.
2007-08-16 12:40:12 · answer #7 · answered by focus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the specific laws in your area, so I would suggest definitely consult a solicitor, and before you submit to any arrest/questioning!
2007-08-16 10:46:44 · answer #8 · answered by mommanuke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK this is unusual has the police when they want to question you usually arrest you incase you run.I would go & see a solicator.Good Luck
2007-08-19 06:09:56 · answer #9 · answered by Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I would arrange to meet at the local nick >if you need a solicitor and obviously you do. He/she will arrange it. Do not ignore
2007-08-16 15:48:01 · answer #10 · answered by Scouse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋