Calderwood House, Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham GL50 1UA
Our criminal defence solicitors provide clear legal advice and representation for people who have been arrested or asked to attend a police station for questioning. We can advise you on your rights, provide support during police interviews and help you understand the legal process from the outset.
Criminal Defence Advice
Being contacted by the police can leave you unsure what has been alleged, what you should say and how an interview could affect your future. Our criminal defence solicitors give you time to explain your position in confidence before questioning begins. We review the information available, identify the decisions that need attention and explain your rights in language you can use, so you are not trying to understand the investigation for the first time in the interview room.
Our role goes beyond sitting beside you while questions are asked. We can seek information from the investigating officer, discuss the evidence with you privately and advise on an interview approach suited to the allegation and your circumstances. If enquiries continue, our legal team can help you understand bail restrictions, preserve relevant material and respond to further police contact, with continuity if the matter later reaches court.
An interview under caution is a formal opportunity for police to question a person suspected of an offence and record their response as potential evidence. A voluntary attendee is not under arrest and can leave unless arrested, but the interview has legal consequences. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its Codes govern important safeguards, including access to legal advice and support for children or vulnerable adults. Arrest and detention involve additional powers and protections that we check against the circumstances.
A voluntary interview is still a formal police interview under caution. You are not under arrest simply because you attend voluntarily, but what is said in interview can become part of the evidence if the investigation later leads to a charge. We can explain the interview process, take your instructions and attend with you while the police ask questions.
The advice given before interview depends on the allegation and the information available at the time. That may involve an incident caught on CCTV, messages or phone data, witness accounts, financial records or another person's allegations. The important point is to deal with the actual evidence and your account, rather than use the same approach in every case.
Our Magistrates' Court representation can cover the first hearing if the investigation leads to a charge.
Some investigations are resolved quickly. Others continue while police obtain CCTV, phone downloads, forensic results, medical evidence, witness statements or other material. We can stay involved after interview, respond to further police contact and advise on bail conditions or another interview if one is requested.
For serious charges, we can continue the preparation through Crown Court proceedings and work with the barrister instructed for the case.
Guessing dates, agreeing with an inaccurate summary or giving an account before understanding the allegation can create avoidable difficulties. Silence is not automatically the right response either, because a court can draw an adverse inference in defined circumstances. We explain the options after taking instructions and considering disclosure. Relevant messages, CCTV and documents should be preserved lawfully, and potential witnesses should not be contacted in a way that could influence their evidence or breach restrictions.
The interview is often the first point at which your account is formally recorded. We take time to understand what has happened before questioning begins, so the advice is based on your circumstances and the information available rather than a standard script.
If the investigation continues, we can remain your point of contact as new evidence is obtained or a charging decision is made. That continuity can be useful later because the solicitor dealing with the next stage already understands the allegation, your instructions and what happened at interview.
Police interview fees depend on preparation, attendance time, travel and any follow-up work agreed with you. We confirm what the quotation includes, VAT where applicable and how additional time is charged. Free independent legal advice is available at police station interviews, including voluntary interviews under caution, through the publicly funded arrangements; you do not have to pay to exercise that right.
We do not accept legal aid instructions. If you choose our firm, we will agree our fees with you before substantive work begins.
Police Interview FAQs
Common questions about voluntary interviews, arrest, legal advice and what can happen after questioning.
No. A voluntary interview is a formal interview under caution. You are not under arrest simply because you attend voluntarily, but the interview can still be recorded and used as evidence later.
Yes. You can get legal advice before questioning and have a solicitor present during the interview. It is usually sensible to arrange this before the appointment rather than wait until the interview is about to start.
If you are at the police station, legal advice can be provided before and during interview. If you have already been released, we can review what happened, any bail conditions and any further interview or charging arrangements.
Yes. In some investigations the police may ask further questions after new evidence is obtained. If another interview is requested, you can obtain legal advice again before answering questions.
Bring any letter, email or message from the police and, if you have it, the officer's name, station, date and time. We can tell you if anything else would be useful after we have discussed the allegation.
The police may take no further action, continue investigating, release you on bail or later make a charging decision. The next step depends on the allegation and the evidence obtained.
Yes. We can explain what the conditions mean and advise on the correct process if there are grounds to ask for a change. Existing conditions must be followed unless they are formally varied or ended.
There is no safe answer for every investigation. We consider the disclosure, your account and any vulnerability before advising on questions or a prepared statement. Silence can have evidential consequences in defined circumstances, so advice should address the actual allegation rather than a general instruction to say nothing.
No. Taking legal advice is an established right and does not amount to an admission. A solicitor helps you understand the allegation and communicate accurately, including where you deny wrongdoing or have information that may assist the investigation.
You are free to leave unless arrested, and attendance does not itself place you under arrest. Police can still arrest if the legal grounds and necessity requirements are met. Tell your solicitor if you want a break or wish to leave so the position can be clarified before you act.
If an interview has been arranged, contact us before the appointment where possible. We can discuss what the police are investigating, what information is available and how we can help before questioning starts.
Arrange a telephone call or visit our Cheltenham office by appointment. We assist clients in Cheltenham and the surrounding Gloucestershire area.
Call 0330 900 0377, email info@pembridgesolicitors.co.uk or request a consultation.
Pembridge Solicitors
Calderwood House, Montpellier Parade
Cheltenham GL50 1UA
Office visits by appointment.