You have rights when interacting with the police that you should know about. If you are being interviewed by police, you should have a lawyer present. You can contact Vanessa Ash day or night for legal representation. If you are ever concerned about your treatment by police, you can make a complaint.
When interacting with the police:
- Keep calm
- Be sensible and thoughtful in your actions
- Get legal advice quickly to help avoid escalations (you can call us out of hours for legal assistance)
- You must give your name and address if the police ask for them, but you do not have to answer any other questions.
- Certain situations apply when police can search you or your property – if they have this right, they may search without you trying to stop them, but if they do not, they cannot force a search. They must prove the right.
- You can only be arrested if police believe you have broken the law or they have an arrest warrant.
- You are allowed to make two phone calls while in police custody. One of these should be a lawyer, the other to tell a friend or relative where you are.
- Fingerprinting and body samples must have proper protocol followed.
- You do not have to participate in a police line-up (identification parade).
- Police must get your permission before taking any photos of you.
- There are special rules for young people and people with mental impairment or illness that must be respected.
- You can be released from custody without charges, or with charges, or on bail.
If you believe that your rights weren’t respected, you were treated unfairly, or that police procedure wasn’t properly followed, call us to discuss your case.
Don’t leave it to chance. Call Vanessa Ash and Associates today.