Police Station Representation FAQ (Kent)

We provide expert police station representation by qualified solicitor at all Kent custody suites. Our services include: FREE legal advice under Legal Aid, representation during police interviews (both in custody and voluntary), advice on your legal rights under PACE 1984, strategic guidance on whether to answer questions or exercise your right to silence, and support for immediate family who need to instruct a solicitor on behalf of someone currently in custody.

We represent anyone who has been arrested or invited for a voluntary police interview in Kent. This includes individuals facing any type of criminal allegation, from minor offences to serious matters. We also provide agent cover for other criminal law firms at police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone.

We cover all types of criminal offences, including: assault, theft, fraud, drug offences, sexual offences, motoring offences, public order offences, and any other criminal matter. Our expertise covers the full spectrum of criminal law, from summary-only offences to indictable-only matters. For detailed information about specific offence types, see our Offences We Deal With page.

Yes, we provide free representation for voluntary police interviews (also known as "caution plus 3" interviews) across Kent. If you have been asked to attend a voluntary interview, it is crucial to have legal representation. We can attend with you to provide advice and ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.

Our representatives are fully accredited police station representatives, qualified under the Police Station Accreditation Scheme. Robert Cashman is a qualified solicitor with over 30 years of experience, a Higher Court Advocate, and an accredited duty solicitor. All our representatives are properly trained and accredited to provide police station representation.

A police station duty solicitor is a qualified solicitor accredited by the Law Society to provide FREE legal advice at police stations under Legal Aid. Robert Cashman is both a qualified solicitor and an Accredited Duty Solicitor with Higher Court Advocate status, providing expert representation at all Kent custody suites including Medway, Canterbury, and Gravesend. Maidstone custody is closed (voluntary interviews only).

A duty solicitor protects your rights by: ensuring you understand your legal rights under PACE 1984, reviewing police evidence and disclosure before interview, advising on whether to answer questions or remain silent, attending the interview with you and intervening if questioning is improper, making representations about bail conditions or release, and ensuring all police procedures are followed correctly. This protection is your absolute right under Section 58 of PACE 1984.

A duty solicitor is a qualified solicitor accredited by the Law Society to provide legal advice at police stations. A police station agent (or accredited representative) is a non-solicitor who has passed the Police Station Qualification to attend on behalf of a solicitor's firm. Robert Cashman is a qualified solicitor and Accredited Duty Solicitor with Higher Court Advocate status, not just an agent.

Yes, we provide extended hours service covering evenings, weekends and bank holidays. We aim to respond promptly. Attendance times depend on location, custody demand and solicitor availability. Use the current custody check if someone is detained now, or request representation for a booked interview.

Yes, we provide both Legal Aid representation (which is free at the police station) and private client services. Legal Aid is available to everyone at the police station regardless of income. For those who prefer an enhanced private service — and, where possible, representation by Robert Cashman — we also offer private client services with fixed-fee packages. If Robert cannot attend, Tuckers Solicitors LLP will arrange an alternative suitably qualified representative.

We cover Kent's operational custody suites including Medway, Gravesend, Canterbury, Tonbridge, Folkestone and Margate. We also attend voluntary interview stations across Kent — including Maidstone (custody closed / VAI only), Ashford, Dover, Sevenoaks, Sittingbourne, Swanley, Tunbridge Wells and Bluewater. Travel times vary by location - typically 15-30 minutes for nearby stations, up to 60-75 minutes for stations in East Kent.

No. PoliceStationAgent.com is an independent criminal defence solicitor service. We are not Kent Police, we are not part of any police force, and we do not operate police stations. For police assistance call 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency).

No. We cannot take crime reports or police enquiries. To report a crime, call 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergency matters, or use the official Kent Police website.

No. We cannot transfer calls to police stations, custody suites, or police switchboards. Our telephone line is for instructing independent legal representation only.

Yes. We arrange independent criminal defence solicitors for people in current Kent police custody or with a booked voluntary (VAI) interview. Immediate family may instruct for current custody — the detainee must confirm. Use the Contact pathways: current custody check if someone is detained now, or request representation for a booked interview.

We’re independent criminal solicitors, not the police. A number on every blog and station page draws 101-style calls and “free advice after release” enquiries we can’t help with, which delays people in live custody or with a booked interview. Use the Contact pathways that match your situation, or the non-urgent written enquiry on the Contact page for administrative messages. For police help use 999 or 101.

Yes — for non-urgent written / administrative enquiries only, use the form on the Contact page. Email and that form are not for emergencies, police matters, or “is my relative in custody right now?” queries, nor for trace or welfare requests. Current custody and same-day interviews should use the Contact pathways — don’t wait on a written reply.

No. This telephone line is for instructing representation when someone is currently in Kent police custody, or has a booked voluntary (VAI) interview. We do not provide free advice after release, after a past interview, or for general case updates. If you need a solicitor after release, contact a criminal defence firm directly for a private appointment.

We handle immediate matters only: someone currently in police custody at a Kent station, or a scheduled voluntary (VAI) interview. We do not deal with arrests from yesterday, days ago, or last week — or enquiries after someone has been released. If someone was arrested yesterday, two days ago, or earlier — or has already been released — we cannot attend, trace what happened, or provide a case update. If they need a solicitor after release, they should contact a criminal defence firm directly.

We are not a tracing or missing-person service. We cannot find someone who has disappeared, confirm whether they are in custody, or explain what happened to them unless we are attending as their instructed solicitor — and even then, confidentiality applies. If you believe an immediate family member is in custody right now at a Kent police station, you may call to instruct representation — see who can instruct us below.

Only immediate family may instruct on someone else's behalf — for example a parent, spouse or partner, child, or sibling. Friends, colleagues, and other acquaintances cannot instruct us. When a third party instructs us, the detainee must confirm they want us to represent them when we contact the station (PACE Code C). We cannot act without that consent.

Please tell us: the Kent police station (if known), the detainee's full name, that custody is current (today), any vulnerabilities (under 18, mental health, language needs), whether they already asked for a solicitor, your relationship to the detainee, and a callback number. We will contact custody to attend and advise — not to give you a status report.

We contact police only to attend as legal representative when properly instructed for current custody. We do not make speculative welfare calls, and we do not discuss interview content with family unless the client explicitly authorises us after release.

Legal Professional Privilege protects the client, not the caller. Everything discussed between a solicitor and client is confidential. The detainee decides who we may speak to after release. This protects their rights during a police investigation. For a step-by-step guide, see our Can We Help page at /canwehelp.

No. We handle immediate matters only — someone currently in custody or a booked voluntary interview. We cannot attend for past arrests, provide updates after release, or answer general enquiries about what happened days ago. See the section above on immediate custody.

No. Only immediate family (such as a parent, spouse or partner, child, or sibling) may instruct us on someone else's behalf — and the detainee must confirm they want us to act when we contact the station. Friends and other acquaintances cannot instruct us.

No. We are not a tracing or missing-person service. We cannot locate someone, confirm whether they are in custody, or investigate what happened to them. If an immediate family member is in custody right now, you may call to instruct representation.

No, we specialise exclusively in criminal defence and police station representation. We do not handle civil matters, family law, employment law, or any other non-criminal legal issues. Our focus is entirely on criminal defence from the police station stage onwards.

While we specialise in police station representation, we work in association with Tuckers Solicitors LLP who provide expert court representation. If you are charged and need representation at the Magistrates' Court or Crown Court, we can ensure a seamless handover to specialist court advocates who will continue your defence.

We focus on police station representation for criminal matters. For motoring offences that don't involve arrest (such as speeding tickets, parking fines, or fixed penalty notices), you would need to contact a specialist motoring solicitor. However, if you are arrested or invited for interview regarding a motoring offence, we can represent you.

We provide legal advice specifically related to police station representation for current custody or scheduled interviews. We do not provide general legal advice by phone or email. If you need immediate police station representation in Kent, use the Contact pathways.

Our primary coverage area is Kent. However, we may be able to assist with representation outside Kent in certain circumstances, particularly for private clients. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation and we will advise on availability.

To become a police station representative, you need to complete the Police Station Qualification (PSQ) through the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or equivalent body. This involves completing a training course and passing assessments. Once qualified, you can work as an accredited representative for a solicitor's firm.

You need to complete the Police Station Qualification (PSQ), which is a professional qualification specifically for police station representation. This is separate from becoming a qualified solicitor. The PSQ covers police station procedures, PACE codes, interview techniques, and legal rights. Some firms may also require a law degree or equivalent, but the PSQ is the essential qualification.

A police station representative attends police stations to provide legal advice and representation to clients who have been arrested or invited for voluntary interviews. This includes: advising clients on their rights, attending interviews, providing strategic guidance, ensuring PACE compliance, and taking detailed notes. The role requires availability for unsocial hours and the ability to attend police stations at short notice.

Yes, many police station representatives work part-time while studying law or other qualifications. The role can be flexible, though you need to be available for call-outs which may include evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. It provides excellent practical experience in criminal law.

Earnings vary depending on whether you work for a firm or as a freelance agent. Rates are typically set by the Legal Aid Agency for Legal Aid work, and by individual firms for private work. Many representatives earn competitive rates, particularly those with experience. Contact us if you are interested in working as a police station representative.

You can find information about the Police Station Qualification (PSQ) through the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) website, or contact training providers who offer PSQ courses. You may also wish to contact criminal law firms directly to discuss opportunities. We are always interested in hearing from qualified and experienced police station representatives.

We provide reliable police station agent cover for criminal law firms at stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone. Our services include: attending police stations on behalf of your clients, providing detailed attendance notes, ensuring compliance with PACE and professional standards, and maintaining communication with your firm throughout.

After each attendance, we provide comprehensive attendance notes including: details of the interview, advice given, any statements made, the outcome (charge, no further action, etc.), and any relevant observations. Notes are provided promptly, typically within 24 hours, to ensure continuity of representation for your client.

Our rates are competitive and transparent. We offer fixed rates for standard attendances, with additional charges only for extended attendances or out-of-hours work. Please contact us to discuss your firm's requirements and we can provide a detailed rate card tailored to your needs.

Yes, we understand that police station work often requires immediate response. We aim to be available for short-notice cover, subject to availability. Our extended hours service means we can often accommodate urgent requests, even outside normal business hours. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

If you have been arrested, tell the custody officer that you want legal representation and ask for "Robert Cashman" or "Tuckers Solicitors LLP - Robert Cashman". They must contact us. An immediate family member can also use our current custody check. If your phone has been taken, an immediate family member can instruct on your behalf. We will attend the police station to represent you - this is completely free under Legal Aid.

If you are asked to attend a voluntary interview (also called a "caution plus 3" interview), you have the right to free legal representation. Request representation and we can arrange to attend with you. It is crucial to have legal representation at voluntary interviews, as anything you say can be used in court. We will advise you on your rights and the best approach to take.

Yes, legal advice at the police station is completely free under Legal Aid, regardless of your income or savings. This is a statutory right under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). There is no means test for police station advice - it is available to everyone. Legal Aid is publicly funded, so there is no cost to you for police station advice.

If police want to interview you, whether you have been arrested or invited for a voluntary interview, you should: 1) Exercise your right to free legal advice - tell them you want a solicitor, 2) Use our Contact pathways, 3) Do not answer any questions until you have spoken to a solicitor, 4) Remember that you have the right to remain silent. We will attend to represent you and provide expert advice throughout the process.

Yes — immediate family only (such as a parent, spouse or partner, child, or sibling). Friends cannot instruct us. The person must be in current police custody at a Kent station. Under PACE Code C, if a solicitor is contacted by immediate family, the police must inform the detainee. The detainee must confirm they want us to represent them when we contact the station. See the section on immediate custody above for full details.

See the section "Immediate custody only — who can call" above. In brief: we cannot provide status updates or case information about someone else. Immediate family may instruct representation for current custody only — not for past arrests or general enquiries.

We specialise in defending people who are suspected of criminal offences, not in reporting crimes to the police. If you need to report a crime, you should contact the police directly by calling 101 for non-emergency matters or 999 in an emergency. However, if you have been arrested or invited for interview regarding a matter you reported, we can represent you during any police investigation or interview that follows. We focus on providing legal representation and advice to those who are under investigation, rather than initiating police reports.

If we represented you at the police station and you contact us directly, we can discuss your case. We cannot provide updates about past arrests to third parties, or cases where another solicitor represented you. For immediate custody only, immediate family may instruct us — see the section above. General enquiries about what happened days ago are outside our scope.

Yes, everyone qualifies for free legal aid at the police station. Unlike court representation, police station advice is not means-tested. It doesn't matter what your income is, whether you are employed, or what savings you have - legal advice at the police station is free for everyone. This is a fundamental right under PACE 1984.

No, you do not need to provide any financial information for police station representation. Legal Aid at the police station is not means-tested, so there is no assessment of your income or savings. However, if your case goes to court, Legal Aid for court representation is means-tested and you may need to provide financial information at that stage.

If you have been charged and need court representation, we work in association with Tuckers Solicitors LLP who provide expert court representation. Legal Aid for court proceedings is means-tested, but we can help you apply. If you do not qualify for Legal Aid, we also offer private client services with fixed-fee packages for court representation.