I don't work for the police. Police Station Agent is run by Defence Legal Services Ltd. When I act for you, I do so as a solicitor at Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA number 592449).
The letter usually arrives out of the blue. It gives you a date, a time and a station, maybe an officer's name, and not much else. Most people who contact me have read it over and over and still don't really know what they're accused of.
Here's the short version. A voluntary interview is an interview under caution. It's recorded, and what you say can be used in court, just as if you'd been arrested. The main difference is that you walk in through the front counter rather than being brought to the custody desk.
So don't ring the officer to clear it up. Don't talk about it with friends or post about it online. Speak to a solicitor first. Police station advice is free under legal aid, whether you use the duty solicitor or name your own, and it isn't means-tested. Moving the date so your solicitor can be there is completely normal.
Below I'll go through what the letter means, what I do before the interview, and what happens on the day at Kent stations like Maidstone and Sevenoaks.
Conclusion
If you have received a voluntary interview letter in Kent, arrange legal advice before you attend.
(Contact) or (Contact). Ask for Robert Cashman, Tuckers Duty Solicitor. Don't discuss the allegation until you have spoken to a solicitor.Sources
- GOV.UK: If you're arrested: your rights
- PACE 1984, section 58: right to legal advice
- SRA register: Tuckers Solicitors LLP (592449)
- Voluntary police interview advice (Police Station Agent)
- Risks of attending alone (Police Station Agent)
- Contact (Police Station Agent)
General information only: not legal advice about any individual case. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA number 592449).