Police Station Representation FAQ (Kent)

I represent people at police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone, whether they've been arrested or invited in for a voluntary interview. I find out what the police have, go through it with you in private, and advise you on your rights under PACE 1984 and on whether to answer questions or stay silent. Then I sit with you through the interview. Advice at the police station is free under legal aid. If someone's in custody now, immediate family can ask me to act for them.

Anyone who's been arrested or invited in for a voluntary police interview, whatever the allegation, from minor offences to serious matters. I cover police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone. I can go further, up to an hour each way, if you don't mind waiting a bit longer for me to arrive. I also act as agent for other criminal law firms in the same area.

Any criminal allegation, from summary-only offences to indictable-only matters. That includes assault, theft, fraud, drug offences, sexual offences, motoring offences and public order offences. The job at the police station is the same whatever the allegation. For more on specific offences, see Offences We Deal With.

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.

I attend myself. I have over 30 years in criminal law, and I've been a solicitor since 2001. I'm an accredited duty solicitor and a Higher Court Advocate. If two jobs clash and I can't get there, Tuckers Solicitors LLP can send another accredited representative.

A duty solicitor is a solicitor with Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation, which you need to go on the local duty rota. Duty solicitors give free legal advice at police stations under legal aid. I'm a qualified solicitor, an accredited duty solicitor and a Higher Court Advocate, and I cover Kent custody suites including Medway, Canterbury and Gravesend. Maidstone custody is closed. The station only does voluntary interviews.

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 with Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation, required for local duty solicitor rota membership. An accredited police station representative is typically a non-solicitor accredited under the SRA Police Station Representative Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS) and registered with the Legal Aid Agency, attending on behalf of a contracted firm under supervision. Practising solicitors may use PSRAS or the Police Station Qualification (PSQ) for Legal Aid-claimable police-station advice — that is not the same as duty-rota accreditation. Robert Cashman is a qualified solicitor and accredited duty solicitor with Higher Court Advocate status. For the wider accreditation career guide, see why get police station accredited.

I work days, evenings, weekends and bank holidays, depending on the case. Call and I'll tell you straight away if I can take it. 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. Advice at the police station is free under legal aid for everyone and isn't means-tested. If you'd rather instruct me privately, there are fixed-fee packages for police station work, and I'll tell you the fee before I start. Either way, I attend myself. If two jobs clash and I can't get there, Tuckers Solicitors LLP can send another accredited representative.

I attend custody at Medway, Gravesend, Canterbury, Tonbridge, Folkestone and Margate, and voluntary interviews at Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Swanley, Bluewater, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Dover, Tunbridge Wells and Coldharbour (voluntary interviews for serious driving offences, such as causing death by dangerous driving). Maidstone custody is closed. I cover police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone. I can go further, up to an hour each way, if you don't mind waiting a bit longer for me to arrive.

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, if someone is in police custody now or has a voluntary interview booked. I attend myself. If two jobs clash and I can't get there, Tuckers Solicitors LLP can send another accredited representative. Immediate family can instruct me for someone in custody now, but the person held must confirm they want me. Use the current custody check if someone is detained now, or request representation for a booked interview.: 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 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 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.

Most of my work is at the police station. If you're charged after I've advised you at the police station, your case will generally go to Tuckers Solicitors LLP for the magistrates' court or Crown Court, and I hand over my notes so you're not explaining everything again. If you instruct me privately, I can represent you at court myself. I also cover weekend, bank holiday and Christmas courts.

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.

I cover police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone, which can include stations just outside Kent. I can go further, up to an hour each way, if you don't mind waiting a bit longer for me to arrive. Beyond that, I can't attend. Call and I'll tell you straight away if I can take it.

Non-solicitor representatives become accredited under the SRA Police Station Representative Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS) — written examination (unless exempt), portfolio and Critical Incidents Test — then register on the Legal Aid Agency Police Station Register under a supervising solicitor. Practising solicitors may complete PSRAS or the Police Station Qualification (PSQ) to claim Legal Aid payment for police-station advice. For accreditation career guidance, see why get police station accredited.

For non-solicitors advising under Legal Aid frameworks, PSRAS accreditation and Police Station Register status are the core requirements, with ongoing supervision by a suitable solicitor. Duty solicitor rota membership is a separate Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation for solicitors (and eligible barristers/CILEX members). For a fuller comparison of routes, see why get police station accredited.

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.

Start with the SRA PSRAS pages and the Legal Aid Agency Police Station Register Arrangements. Career and accreditation guidance for police station representatives is in why get police station accredited. For exam and CIT preparation (not a substitute for official rules), see PSR Train. Criminal defence firms handle supervision and instructions; solicitors needing Kent agent cover can use agency cover.

I attend police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone for your clients. I can go further, up to an hour each way, if you don't mind waiting a bit longer for me to arrive. I work to PACE and professional standards, keep you updated throughout, and send you a detailed attendance note afterwards. I attend myself. If two jobs clash and I can't get there, I can pass it to a trusted rep I know, but only if you agree first.

After each attendance you get a full typed attendance note as a PDF, written in Custody Note, covering disclosure, advice, the interview and the outcome. You also get a proper VAT invoice from QuickFile, by email.

One standard attendance fee plus VAT plus mileage plus disbursements. Early-payment discounts by bank transfer: 15% if paid within 7 days, 10% within 14 days, 5% within 28 days. Firms paying by direct debit get a further 5% off each invoice, on top of any prompt-payment discount. If you take a discount, you may only reclaim VAT on the amount you actually pay; no VAT credit note will be issued. The current fee is on the service rates page and the agency cover for solicitors page.

Yes, if I'm free. I work days, evenings, weekends and bank holidays, depending on the case. Call and I'll tell you straight away if I can take it.

Tell the custody officer you want a solicitor and ask for "Robert Cashman" or "Tuckers Solicitors LLP – Robert Cashman". They must contact me. If your phone's been taken, an immediate family member can instruct me for you, or use the current custody check. I'll come to the station myself. If two jobs clash and I can't get there, Tuckers Solicitors LLP can send another accredited representative. Advice at the police station is free under legal aid.

If you've been asked in for a voluntary interview (also called a "caution plus 3" interview), you have the right to free legal representation. Request representation and I'll come to the interview with you. Don't go in without advice: anything you say can be used in court. I'll explain your rights and advise you how to handle the interview.

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.

Whether you've been arrested or invited in for a voluntary interview: 1) tell them you want a solicitor (your advice is free); 2) use the Contact pathways to reach me; 3) don't answer any questions until you've spoken to a solicitor; 4) remember you have the right to remain silent. I'll come to the station and advise you throughout.

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're charged after I've advised you at the police station, your case will generally go to Tuckers Solicitors LLP for the magistrates' court or Crown Court. Legal aid for court is means-tested, and Tuckers can help you apply. If you instruct me privately, I can represent you at court myself. Ask me about fees. I also cover weekend, bank holiday and Christmas courts.