NCJ Number
140002
Date Published
1991
Length
201 pages
Annotation
Written for the defense solicitor, this step-by-step guide details British law and procedure that must be followed from the moment the suspect/defendant falls under suspicion through to the first court appearance.
Abstract
A chapter on "initial instructions" pertains to the first contact with the attorney by the client or the client's family and the procedure and attitude required when it is the client or the family member making the contact. The next chapter discusses law relevant to access to and detention of the suspect, followed by a chapter that indicates the conditions under which the police may legally delay attorney access to the defendant/client. Guidance is also provided on how to mount a challenge to the police decision to delay attorney access to the client. A chapter on initial contact with the client considers the timing of the visit, its purpose, the obtaining of information from the police, and what to say to the suspect. A chapter on the form and content of the client interview is followed by a chapter that reviews the characteristics of evidence samples. Other topics discussed are the search of suspects, the search of suspect's premises, suspect identification, juveniles and persons at risk, police options on completing inquiries, the first bail application, legal aid, and complaints against the police. Appendixes contain specimen letters, a list of "serious arrestable offences," offenses for which interviews should be tape recorded, and a list of recordable offenses. Subject index and 21 diagrams