I’ve been called for a voluntary police interview – does this mean there isn’t enough evidence?
Have you been called for a voluntary police interview? Your mind may be running wild wondering why the police have requested your presence and if they have found evidence that connects you to a criminal offence.
In this article, we’ll discuss whether a voluntary police interview means that the police have no evidence against you and the reasons why the police arrange voluntary police interviews.
Does a voluntary police interview mean they have no evidence?
No – in fact, they might have a great deal of evidence against you.
Police arrange voluntary interviews for a number of reasons, whether or not they have evidence against you. If you are invited to attend a voluntary police interview, it is very important that you do not treat it lightly. It is still a serious affair.
Failure to attend a voluntary police interview can have damaging repercussions.
Why do the police arrange voluntary interviews if they already have evidence?
The police may arrange a voluntary interview for a variety of reasons, including:
For clarification
The police may need further clarification of the evidence they have already collected. They might have sufficient evidence to charge you already, but they want some more information to verify facts or provide context to the offence, including things like potential motive.
Less administrative burden
A voluntary police interview is an efficient way to seek extra evidence without the administrative burden of arresting you and holding you in police custody. To arrest a suspect, the police need to fill out paperwork to process you and ensure they have space to keep you in custody.
To encourage cooperation
The police know that many suspects are more relaxed in a voluntary interview setting. They may think you are more likely to offer extra information they can use as evidence compared to an interview post-arrest.
To progress the investigation
After you are arrested, the police can keep you in custody for 24 hours. They may decide to carry out a voluntary interview prior to arrest so they can gather more evidence before the 24 hour clock starts ticking, to allow them to devote their future resources to pursuing other lines of investigation.
Should I get legal representation for a voluntary police interview?
If you have been called for a voluntary police interview, you absolutely should seek legal representation.
Speaking with a solicitor prior to the interview, and having them to consult with during the interview, is critical to avoid giving self-incriminating responses.
If you are arrested, it’s vital to have a solicitor to support you if you decide to initiate pre-charge engagement (see video below), a process where you present your own evidence file to the police to persuade them to drop your case before charges.
At Holborn Adams, our pre-charge solicitors can support you through voluntary interviews and beyond. Be prepared. Please give us a call today.
