Reply to: Being nicked - your rights

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I have already decided in the highly likely even of being arrested I will answer no comment to everything whether I did it or not. Whilst a lot of cops must be decent and honest they (I know from personal experience - not arrested) can trust their copper's "nose" and experience a little too much at times - i.e. if they think, however misguidedly that you did something, they will do their best to get you to say so, or to make it look as if you are a wrong 'un or have something to hide, whatever the facts are.

[TimberWolf]

5. Don't touch murder weapon with hands without wearing gloves.

6. Don't throw away weapon near scene of crime like in films
7. Do sprinkle weapon with contents of enemies used vacuum cleaner bag

[AtW]

5. Don't touch murder weapon with hands without wearing gloves.

[TimberWolf]

Getting another POV is also useful.

Your rights on arrest - legal help and useful information

And never accept a caution if you've done nothing; you're admitting you've done something wrong if you do.

So things will become a little more complicated for those who are not entitled to legal aid but are not rich enough to hire a solicitor if this bill passes:

We strongly recommend that you:

1. make "no comment" to all questions
2. don't write a statement
3. don't sign a statement written by the police
4. don't sign any police book

...until you have seen a solicitor

The poor and rich can carry on as before, but what about the new category. Do they have to sign whatever the police put in front of them

Come to think of it, the bill says people will be means tested. That's going to take a while The copper at the police station who holds the pen for you to sign the police book is going to need a lot of patience. Presumably most people currently just sign whatever is handed to them and don't ask for a solicitor.

[TimberWolf]

Nope, best not say even that because if you would be proven guilty they can also do you for attempting to pervert the course of justice claiming you are innoncent and that's up to life in prison...

Oh great, you get done twice and were innocent of both.

[TimberWolf]

And never accept a caution if you've done nothing; you're admitting you've done something wrong if you do.

Goes to show how easy it is for innocent people to slip up. I expect you'd have to be a unlucky to get a cop who would try to frame the innocent though. Unless you annoyed him.

[AtW]

You did see that film of a kid on a bike getting a kicking from a policeman during the looting?

Would not have happened if police were armed

[TimberWolf]

Depends on how you are arrested.

You did see that film of a kid on a bike getting a kicking from a policeman during the looting?

Well some people have been put into the back of police vans on their own and have mysteriously got injuries.

I believe we were referring to being questioned at the cop shop where pistol whipping is rare. Getting arrested and arriving intact at the cop shop unbruised is a another matter, though still mostly devoid of pistol whippings.

[AtW]

Presumably best to say nothing except "I'm innocent" every now and then, then?

Nope, best not say even that because if you would be proven guilty they can also do you for attempting to pervert the course of justice claiming you are innoncent and that's up to life in prison...

[SueEllen]

Getting another POV is also useful.

Your rights on arrest - legal help and useful information

And never accept a caution if you've done nothing; you're admitting you've done something wrong if you do.

WCS

The CPS don't tend to like prosecuting people unless there are a couple of witnesses, you are caught in the act by the police (it does occasionally happen), you admit it or they get orders from above.

[SueEllen]

You've been watching too much American TV. In the UK they employ very poor sarcasm.

Depends on how you are arrested.

You did see that film of a kid on a bike getting a kicking from a policeman during the looting?

Well some people have been put into the back of police vans on their own and have mysteriously got injuries.

[cojak]

Getting another POV is also useful.

Your rights on arrest - legal help and useful information

And never accept a caution if you've done nothing; you're admitting you've done something wrong if you do.

[TimberWolf]

Yes - in between Pistol Whippings Im sure that is allowed.

PS as long as nobody else is watching

You've been watching too much American TV. In the UK they employ very poor sarcasm.

[AlfredJPruffock]

What if you don't want to pay for a defence and they still charge you and you don't want to admit to being guilty either. Do you have to act as the defence in the court too? Or are you just found guilty on the spot?

I know its tough justice but think of the money it will save the Government .

[AlfredJPruffock]

Presumably best to say nothing except "I'm innocent" every now and then, then?

Yes - in between Pistol Whippings Im sure that is allowed.

PS as long as nobody else is watching