Defence solicitors · Kent · not the police

Solicitor for a police interview in Kent

Police want to interview you in Kent, either at a voluntary interview or after an arrest? I'm Robert Cashman, a criminal defence solicitor, and I cover police stations and voluntary interviews across Kent. East Kent means a longer journey for me, so call early. Had a letter, call or card asking you to come in? That's a voluntary interview under caution, and you can have a solicitor with you. Free solicitor for a voluntary interview under caution. Police station advice is free under legal aid, and it isn't means-tested. I'm an independent criminal defence solicitor, not Kent Police. For the police, use 999 or 101.

Request representation: short formWhat to do first

Prefer to talk? Call me

Not Kent Police. For the police call 999 or 101.

Request representation

Start with the short form: allegation type, name and phone. Prefer officer details and letter upload? Use the full form below or the dedicated start page.

Got an interview letter?

First — are you reporting a crime or looking for a police number?

If yes, use official police contacts. This website cannot help with those enquiries.

Don't attend unrepresented

A voluntary interview is under caution. Anything you say can be used in evidence. Get advice before agreeing a date where possible. Ignoring a genuine invitation can lead to arrest. Rearranging so a solicitor can attend is normal.

Voluntary interview or arrest: which is yours?

Voluntary interview

You've been asked to attend by letter, call or card. You aren't under arrest, but you'll be interviewed under caution. Request representation above and I'll get disclosure from the officer before the date.

Arrested and in custody

Someone is held at a Kent custody suite now. They can ask for me by name, Robert Cashman. Family or friends can use the custody check.

What it costs: police station advice is free under legal aid. There is no separate fee for me travelling to the police station.

Plain steps

  1. Do not discuss the allegation

    If officers call or leave a letter, take names and the station. Don't give your account on the phone. Say you'll instruct a solicitor.

  2. Request representation

    Police station advice for a voluntary interview under caution is free under legal aid. It isn't means-tested, whether you ask for the duty solicitor or name your own.

  3. I get the disclosure

    Once instructed, I contact the interviewing officer, request disclosure, and advise you in private before the interview.

  4. I come to the interview with you

    I'll be at the station for the interview under caution, protect your rights, and advise whether to answer questions, make no comment, or use a prepared statement.

Kent police station and voluntary interview cover

I attend custody at Medway, North Kent (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.

Maidstone (voluntary interviews only)

Maidstone custody is closed. Interviews here are voluntary interviews only. Arrange a solicitor before you go.

Medway

Medway (Gillingham) handles custody and interviews. Letter or call about a booked interview? Request representation first.

North Kent / Gravesend

North Kent custody suite and local voluntary interviews. Instruct before you attend under caution.

Sevenoaks & Swanley

Voluntary interview invitations at Sevenoaks and Swanley, free solicitor advice before the interview date.

Someone detained right now? Current custody check. Other contact routes: Contact.

Your rights at a police interview, with the law quoted

Each point below quotes two independent sources word for word, so you can check it yourself. This is general information, not advice on your case.

If you are arrested, you can see a solicitor in private, free

If you're held at a police station after arrest, you can ask to speak to a solicitor privately at any time, and the advice is free and independent of the police.

  • “A person arrested and held in custody in a police station or other premises shall be entitled, if he so requests, to consult a solicitor privately at any time.”

    Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, section 58(1)

  • “all detainees must be informed that they may at any time consult and communicate privately with a solicitor, whether in person, in writing or by telephone, and that free independent legal advice is available.”

    PACE Code C (2023), paragraph 6.1

  • “The advice is free and independent of the police.”

    GOV.UK, Being arrested: your rights, Legal advice at the police station

A voluntary interview carries the same right to free legal advice

If you attend a voluntary interview under caution, you can have free, independent legal advice, including a solicitor with you in the interview.

  • “explaining that they may obtain free and independent legal advice if they want it, and that this includes the right to speak with a solicitor on the telephone and to have the solicitor present during the interview;”

    PACE Code C (2023), paragraph 3.21A(b)(i)

  • “You have the right to free legal advice (legal aid) if you’re questioned at a police station.”

    GOV.UK, Being arrested: your rights, Legal advice at the police station

  • “It is your legal right to a have a solicitor free of charge while you are under arrest or voluntarily attending a police station, or being interviewed by the police, as a suspect, anywhere.”

    The Law Society, Criminal law (public guidance), Why should I have a solicitor at the police station?

At a voluntary interview you are not under arrest

If you attend voluntarily and haven't been arrested, you're entitled to leave at will. The police can only stop you leaving by arresting you.

Once you ask for a solicitor, the interview should wait

If you're detained and ask for legal advice, the police generally can't interview you until you've had it. There are limited exceptions, each needing authority from an officer of at least inspector rank (superintendent for some).

  • “A detainee who wants legal advice may not be interviewed or continue to be interviewed until they have received such advice unless:”

    PACE Code C (2023), paragraph 6.6

  • “Once you’ve asked for legal advice, the police cannot question you until you’ve got it – with some exceptions.”

    GOV.UK, Being arrested: your rights, Being questioned without legal advice

Silence can have consequences, so get advice first

Under caution you don't have to answer. But if you later rely in court on something you didn't mention when questioned, the court may be allowed to draw an inference. Whether to answer, give no comment or use a prepared statement is a decision to make with a solicitor.

  • ““You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.””

    PACE Code C (2023), paragraph 10.5 (the caution)

  • “at any time before he was charged with the offence, on being questioned under caution by a constable trying to discover whether or by whom the offence had been committed, failed to mention any fact relied on in his defence in those proceedings;”

    Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 34(1)(a)

Police station advice does not depend on your income

Legal aid for advice at the police station isn't means-tested: it doesn't depend on what you earn or own.

Under 18 or vulnerable: an appropriate adult

If you're under 18 or vulnerable and held at a police station, the police must arrange an appropriate adult to support you.

  • “The police must find an ‘appropriate adult’ to protect your interests, rights and welfare.”

    GOV.UK, Being arrested: your rights, If you’re under 18 or a vulnerable adult

  • “If the detainee is a juvenile or a vulnerable person, the custody officer must, as soon as practicable, ensure that: … the attendance of the appropriate adult at the police station to see the detainee is secured.”

    PACE Code C (2023), paragraph 3.15

Police interview questions

Do I need a solicitor for a voluntary police interview?

You don't have to have one, but you are entitled to free, independent legal advice and to have a solicitor with you in the interview. A voluntary interview is under caution, so what you say can be used in evidence. Get advice before you agree a date.

Is a solicitor for a police interview free?

Yes. Legal advice at the police station is free under legal aid and isn't means-tested, whether you've been arrested or are attending a voluntary interview. There is no separate fee for me travelling to the police station.

Can I leave a voluntary interview?

If you haven't been arrested, you are entitled to leave at will. The police can only stop you leaving by arresting you. Talk to me before you decide to walk out, because it can lead to arrest.

What if someone has been arrested and is in custody now?

They can ask for a solicitor at any time, privately, for free. Ask the custody officer for me by name, Robert Cashman, or use the custody check page and I'll tell you the next step.

Should I answer questions or give no comment?

It depends on the evidence the police disclose. Silence can sometimes lead a court to draw an inference, so I'll get disclosure first and then advise you privately whether to answer, give no comment, or use a prepared statement.

Which police stations do you cover?

I cover police stations and voluntary interviews across Kent. East Kent (Canterbury, Margate, Folkestone, Dover) means a longer journey for me, so call early.

More detail: police interview rights, what a voluntary interview is.

Full request form

Officer details, crime reference and letter upload when you have them.

Request voluntary interview representation

Structured enquiry for a forthcoming interview under caution.

First — are you reporting a crime or looking for a police number?

If yes, use official police contacts. This website cannot help with those enquiries.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK — PACE Code C 2023 (accessible text)—https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pace-code-c-2023/pace-code-c-2023-accessible
  2. PACE 1984, section 58 — right to legal advice at the police station—https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/60/section/58
  3. PACE 1984, section 76 — exclusion of confessions—https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/60/section/76
  4. SRA register — Tuckers Solicitors LLP (592449)—https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/register/organisation/?sraNumber=592449

General information only — not legal advice. While every care is taken to ensure what is stated is accurate and reflects current law and official guidance, errors may occur and the law changes. Do not rely on this page instead of advice from a qualified solicitor about your own situation. Legal services are provided through Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA number 592449) where applicable. If you believe something on this page is incorrect, please contact us and say you are reporting a content error.