When will you be allowed to contact a lawyer after your arrest?
- In most situations, you won’t be given an opportunity to speak to your lawyer before the interview and your lawyer won’t be allowed to accompany you during the interview.
- You will be allowed to contact a lawyer within a reasonable time allowed for the Police to carry out their investigations. The duration of this period of time will depend on the facts and circumstances of each individual case and it may be increased if the Police can show that allowing you to contact or consult your lawyer would hinder their investigations or the administration of justice.
- During investigations process, you may be required to be interviewed by the Police and to provide a signed statement. If the Police decide to formally take action against you and charge you in Court, you will be given an opportunity to provide your defence or explanation to the Charge in writing (in a Cautioned Statement).
