ChatterBank3 mins ago
childs interview at police station
Asking this on behalf of a friend.
My friends have recieved a letter asking them to attend an interview, with their 15yr old son, at a local police station on Monday. Apparently his name was given to the police by someone who 'recognised' him as someone who was throwing stones at cars. He vehemently denies that he has ever done such a thing. The letter recieved has stated that if his parents fail to attend the interview that action will be taken (his parents are most definitley attending to sort it out) The letter states that other agencies may be present at the interview but doesnt state who. The whole tone of the letter is that he is already guilty and slightly threatening. He has never been in any trouble before and is very upset over it.
my questions are,
1/ what should he expect at the interview?
2/ are the police likley to try to get him to accept a caution even though he's adamant that he's done no wrong?
3/what will the police do if he continues to deny any involvment?
4/who are these 'other' agencies?
5/would it be wise to attend the interview without a solicitor as he hasnt officialy been charged with anything?
Many thanks for any replies.
My friends have recieved a letter asking them to attend an interview, with their 15yr old son, at a local police station on Monday. Apparently his name was given to the police by someone who 'recognised' him as someone who was throwing stones at cars. He vehemently denies that he has ever done such a thing. The letter recieved has stated that if his parents fail to attend the interview that action will be taken (his parents are most definitley attending to sort it out) The letter states that other agencies may be present at the interview but doesnt state who. The whole tone of the letter is that he is already guilty and slightly threatening. He has never been in any trouble before and is very upset over it.
my questions are,
1/ what should he expect at the interview?
2/ are the police likley to try to get him to accept a caution even though he's adamant that he's done no wrong?
3/what will the police do if he continues to deny any involvment?
4/who are these 'other' agencies?
5/would it be wise to attend the interview without a solicitor as he hasnt officialy been charged with anything?
Many thanks for any replies.
Answers
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a personal family friend and son,14 attended one of these "informal"chats after they themselves had contacted the police over an allegation made about the son
he was arrested and questioned about the allegation.no charges were made as there was no evidence.if he ever trys to get a crb it will be on his record.
he was arrested and questioned about the allegation.no charges were made as there was no evidence.if he ever trys to get a crb it will be on his record.
As sin says it is potetially a problem. It will most likely go down soemthing like this:-
They attend, he may or may not be arrested 'on suspicion of... whatever it is they think' ( most likely in my experience will be), he will be questioned under caution and they will try to pin it on him regardless of whether he's done it or not. they will say it's better if he owns up etc etc etc as otherwise he'll have to go to court ( not true, they have to get past the CPS first) and they might try to get him to accept a caution. If he hasn't done anything and is telling the truth don't accept one- take your chance the CPs or ultimately a magistrate will see through it. Irrespective of whether he's guilty or not it's likely to ( disgracefully in my opinion) show up on a crb check.
They attend, he may or may not be arrested 'on suspicion of... whatever it is they think' ( most likely in my experience will be), he will be questioned under caution and they will try to pin it on him regardless of whether he's done it or not. they will say it's better if he owns up etc etc etc as otherwise he'll have to go to court ( not true, they have to get past the CPS first) and they might try to get him to accept a caution. If he hasn't done anything and is telling the truth don't accept one- take your chance the CPs or ultimately a magistrate will see through it. Irrespective of whether he's guilty or not it's likely to ( disgracefully in my opinion) show up on a crb check.
Sorry been out for a while, yes most likely Social Services- although if the child is not known to them they may or may not attend. Whatever happens, try to stay calm, assertive in his innocence without being confrontational.
If I were them, I'd get a solicitor if at all possible to advise them far better than I can, but even if they don't charge him there and then they are likely to question him under caution so he'd need some legal advice, and then most probably bail him.
the alternative to the horror story scenario we've painted is they genuinely just want a chat with him, but I doubt it having seen the way the police treat teenage lads from the ones I mentor.
If I were them, I'd get a solicitor if at all possible to advise them far better than I can, but even if they don't charge him there and then they are likely to question him under caution so he'd need some legal advice, and then most probably bail him.
the alternative to the horror story scenario we've painted is they genuinely just want a chat with him, but I doubt it having seen the way the police treat teenage lads from the ones I mentor.
I believe so. Certainly a child needs an appropriate adult with them which will be the parent ( only one usually can go into interview) but they should also be entitled to legal representation I think. Barmaid is your lady on here for spot on legal advice but I'm sure what I've told you so far is correct.
Hope everything goes okay for him, and just stay strong and calm and don't say any more than he has to, just yes or no answers whenever possible.
Hope everything goes okay for him, and just stay strong and calm and don't say any more than he has to, just yes or no answers whenever possible.
Throwing stones at cars? Definitely anti-social but have not the police more important things to do? Do let them call in other agencies (at a cost), if a solicitor is involved even more cost to the family. Anybody questioned the namer? The police are often too big for their boots. But of course the upper echelons do not wear them.
DaisyNonna - ''Throwing stones at cars? Definitely anti-social but have not the police more important things to do?''
You sound like a prima donna. If I saw anyone throwing stones at cars I would be calling the police too. Or do you think that damaging someone elses property is ok?
No wonder this country is in such a mess when individuals like this think that committing an act of damage should just be dismissed.
You sound like a prima donna. If I saw anyone throwing stones at cars I would be calling the police too. Or do you think that damaging someone elses property is ok?
No wonder this country is in such a mess when individuals like this think that committing an act of damage should just be dismissed.
The police do sometimes have an unfortunate way of writing letters; do not be put off by this.
As the son of your friend is under 18 he must have an appropriate adult present (not a police officer) when he is questioned which in this instance will be the parents who are not involved in the alleged offence, the police must not question him without an appropriate adult being present. The police may also have invited a representative of your local social services department to be present.
He will probably be questioned under caution and does have the right to first speak to the duty solicitor, for which no charge is made it is at public expense. Unfortunately there is often a long wait to see the duty solicitor and if you ask the police to have the solicitor present they may still wait until you arrive before calling him/her.
He may be arrested and charged it will depend on the evidence they have, remember a caution is an admission of guilt and he should not accept this if he is not guilty
As the son of your friend is under 18 he must have an appropriate adult present (not a police officer) when he is questioned which in this instance will be the parents who are not involved in the alleged offence, the police must not question him without an appropriate adult being present. The police may also have invited a representative of your local social services department to be present.
He will probably be questioned under caution and does have the right to first speak to the duty solicitor, for which no charge is made it is at public expense. Unfortunately there is often a long wait to see the duty solicitor and if you ask the police to have the solicitor present they may still wait until you arrive before calling him/her.
He may be arrested and charged it will depend on the evidence they have, remember a caution is an admission of guilt and he should not accept this if he is not guilty
Thank you Tony. Presumably if they arn't going to arrest him then his parents would be within their right to just leave the police station at any time despite the threat implied in the letter that 'action' would be taken if they didnt show up at the station?
Have spoken to them today and they said that he is not going to accept a caution as he is still adamant that he's done no wrong but they are a bit worried about what would happen next. There certainley seems to be no evidence except the say so of a certain individual.
Have spoken to them today and they said that he is not going to accept a caution as he is still adamant that he's done no wrong but they are a bit worried about what would happen next. There certainley seems to be no evidence except the say so of a certain individual.
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