A Guide to Police Interviews
What happens if you are asked to participate in a police electronic record of interview?
There is no obligation for you to participate in a police electronic record of interview. The police or Court cannot infer anything negative from your refusal to participate in an interview because everybody has the “right to silence”. This is your right.
We always advise clients to exercise their right to silence and to decline participation in any interviews with police. This is because anything you say can and will be used against you as evidence in Court.
Even if you have nothing to hide and believe that you have done nothing wrong, you have no control over what you may be asked and the way in which you may respond if you are feeling nervous and under pressure, which you most likely will. You may say something that you wish you did not say, or that could be taken out of context.
The police may not have enough evidence to charge you at first instance, and you could end up being charged solely on your admissions to police. It is the police’s job to establish whether they have enough evidence to charge you. Police will interview you solely to establish whether they have enough evidence to meet the elements of the offences to be able to charge you, so when they ask you to speak to them, it is completely for their own benefit as opposed to yours.
If you have been asked to do a police interview and are unsure what to do or need more help or advice, do not hesitate to contact one of our lawyers urgently.