Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) covers detained suspects in four categories of matter under the 2025 Standard Crime Contract (paragraph 9.3) — usually by telephone unless a paragraph 9.4 exception applies. Voluntary interviewees who are not detained are outside CDD; they can instruct a contract solicitor for free advice and attendance at a voluntary interview.
Police Station Agent is a private defence website operated by Robert Cashman — NOT Kent Police and not any government agency. Legal services are delivered through Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).
Key takeaways
- CDD (para 9.3) applies to detained clients in four excluded categories — mainly telephone advice unless para 9.4 exceptions apply.
- Categories: non-imprisonable offences; bench warrants for failing to appear (held for court); drink-drive arrests (RTA ss4, 5, 6, 7, 7A); breach of police or court bail conditions.
- Para 9.4 exceptions include scheduled interview, appropriate adult, communication difficulty, serious maltreatment allegation, linked in-scope offence, indictable offence, or Special Request.
1) Criminal Defence Direct — paragraph 9.3 categories
Under the 2025 Standard Crime Contract specification (effective 1 October 2025), a Criminal Defence Direct Matter is police station advice for a detained client that falls outside standard contract scope, usually delivered by telephone, in these situations:
- detention for a non-imprisonable offence;
- arrest on a bench warrant for failing to appear, where the person is to be held for court;
- drink-driving related arrests under Road Traffic Act 1988 sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 7A;
- breach of police or court bail conditions.
Contract providers attend many other detained matters in scope without going through CDD.
2) Paragraph 9.4 — when attendance may still be claimed
Despite an otherwise excluded matter, attendance may be claimed if an exception applies, including: a scheduled interview or identification procedure; the client requires an appropriate adult; the client cannot communicate by phone; serious alleged police maltreatment; the investigation includes another in-scope offence; advice concerns an indictable offence; or the DSCC identifies a Special Request.
3) Asking for attendance
When contacting the Defence Solicitor Call Centre for a detained client in a CDD category, explain facts that may engage a paragraph 9.4 exception (for example a youth detainee needing an appropriate adult, or an additional indictable allegation). You can request a named firm if you have one.
4) After telephone advice
If only telephone advice is given, follow the adviser’s instructions and keep contact details. If circumstances change (interview booked, charge imminent), contact a solicitor immediately — the position may move into attended work.
Related: PACE Code C, voluntary interview risks.
Related guides
Sources
Sources checked: 1 October 2026.
- Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 — legislation.gov.uk
- PACE Code C 2023 — GOV.UK
- SRA register — Tuckers Solicitors LLP (127795)
- GOV.UK — Standard Crime Contract 2025
- 2025 Crime Specification (PDF)
General information only — not legal advice about any individual case. While every care is taken to keep information accurate, errors may occur and the law changes. Do not rely on this page instead of advice from a qualified solicitor. If you believe something is incorrect, contact us to report a content error. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).