CP1 Flashcards
(256 cards)
When should a suspect arrested of a crime be taken to a police station and who should they be taken to?
Soon as practicable after arrest, unless granted bail
s30(1A) PACE
Custody officer
How long keep / until release suspect from police station?
Expeditiously and released once no longer need to detain
Initial steps of custody officer
Maintain custody record recording:
- Name/address etc.
- Offence and why arrest
-Time of arrest and arrival
- Reason ongoing detention
- Time detention authorised
- Confirm told rights / whether req legal advice
- their property/medical condition
Inform of rights
Maintain detention log
When can custody officer seize suspects’ items?
Could:
- Cause physical injury
- Cause damage
- Interfere with evi or
- Assist escape
FIRST step : who and how do they decide whether to retain detained suspect?
Custody officer.
Ask investigating officer if:
- Sufficient evi to charge for arrest (rare);
- what do if detain further (e.g. interview)
What are the grounds for detention?
Custody officer has:
- Reasonable grounds for believing necessary to detain suspect longer to secure or preserve evidence (e.g. search property)
or/and
- Necessary obtain evi by questioning
Release soon as don’t apply
What conditions must suspect be detained in ? As in conditions of cell etc
Cell adequately heated, cleaned, ventilated and lit
Clean sanitary bedding
Access to loo and washing facilities
Two light and one main meal in 24-hr period
Drinks at mealtimes/request
Brief outdoor exercise
Visited at least each hour
General timeframe for custody officer to do things
Reasonably practicable
What ongoing rights do suspects have?
- Someone informed of arrest
- Consult privately with solicitor (and told free, independent legal advice is available) soon as practicable
- Consult Codes of Practice
- Why arrested/detained
Where suspect sought legal advice, what happens?
(Unless said paying privately) - Police call Defence Solicitor Call Centre
They decide whether call or attend
If in person - must be informed once arrives and asked if want to see them/if prev declined legal advice
Can police delay right to legal advice?
Only if
- authorised by superintendent +;
- indictable;
- max 36 hours from ‘relevant time’
- confirmed in writing soon as practicable
AND
reas grounds believing would
1. interfere with evi 🫰
2. injury to others 🤕
3. alert other suspects; or 🚨
4. hinder recovering property obtained from offence 🛑
When may police delay exercise of right to inform others of arrest?
- Officer +
- Indictable offence
- Max 36 hours
- Orally but writing once pract
AND
Reas grounds believing:
1. interfere evi
2. injury others
3. alert other suspects; or
4. hinder recovering property obtained from offence
(same as for legal advice except officer not superintendent)
(initial) maximum period for suspect detention
24 hours from ‘relevant time’, which will be:
1. Voluntarily attend - time of arrest
2. Street bail (arrested, then must go police station themselves at specified time) - time arrive
3. Arrested away from station - once arrive
When can suspect be detained longer than usual and how long for?
this is separate to legal advice/inform others
(extension is from relevant time - i.e.arrival or arrest if voluntary attend)
(nb: can give for max 36 hours each time, but can be less)
A) superintendent + if reas grounds:
extend from 24 to 36 hours
1. necessary preserve/secure/obtain through Qs evi
2. either-way or indictable-only
3. diligent and expeditious investigation
OR
B). MAGISTRATES (s43) grant warrant for max of a FURTHER 36 hrs
(so if superintendent+ as already approved, would be total 72 hours)
- necessary secure/preserve/obtain evi
- Diligent and expeditous
OR
C) Magistrates again (s44) for further extension
- cannot be longer than 36 hours and must not end later than 96 hours after initial arrest
if above grounds AND
reas grounds for further detention
What happens if detain suspect for longer than authorised?
How are detention periods reviewed?
Tort of false imprisonment
By inspector + who not involved:
- not later than 6 hours after authorised detention
- no later 9 hours after that (and 9 hours after that etc)
6 - 9 - indep inspector
What rights will a volunteer suspect have?
(e.g. willing to help or police not enough evi but asked to attend)
Can leave at any time unless formally arrested
Generally advise to attend voluntarily if given choice
Usually have legal adviser
Can ask for friend or solicitor in interview
Police can arrest if make admission which gives sufficient grounds to arrest
What info should solicitor get from custody officer?
- Record/log/basic details
Then from officer/record:
- Alleged offence
- Time authorised detention
- Significant comments by client
- Evi already taken
- Any identification procedure
- Interview?
- Disability or illness?
- Items from search?
- Any detention review records?
Who does solicitor need to speak to and in what order?
- Custody officer (basics of detention)
- Investigating officer (disclosure, any statements and next steps)
- Client
(who they are, details of offence, instructions, next steps, interview prep)
What will/should investigating officer provide solicitor with? Do they have to disclose?
Code C =
sufficient info understand NATURE of offence and WHY suspect as long as not prejudice investigation
Not obliged provide with anything else, but normally:
- witness statements
- any other evi e.g. forensic
If they don’t, should say need to properly advise
What should solicitor tell suspect when first meet? (steps 1 and 2)
- Free independent legal advice
Protect and advance rights
Confidential
But prof conduct reqs - Details got from investigating office
Relevant law and what police need to prove
Once informed of their role and details of offence, what should solicitor acquire from/tell client?
- Their instructions
(version of events and take instructions - note if poss) - Tell what next steps will be
- Prep for interview
(whether to respond to Qs, prep written statement if no comment and hand to police, advise how will be conducted and their role)
Advantages of answering all Qs in police interview?
Where is it esp good idea?
- Version of events on record immediately
- Good where evi burden
- Case may not be pursued
Trial:
- Credibility at trial if consistent
- No adverse inferences at trial
- Mitigation
(^ esp if strong case, no previous convictions/cautions and admitting guilt)
Disadvantages answering all Qs at interview
- maybe incriminating or undermine credibility
- police often trip up
- often play transcript (tone, contradict, implausible)
- confusion e.g. young
- if not full police disclosure, could catch out
- may attack another’s character, allows CPS raise other convictions
Advantages and disadvantages of remaining silent
Advantages:
- Not incriminate/inadvertent disclosure/weak case = don’t give more evidence
Disadvantages:
- Adverse inference - sham defence as could have raised at interview