Surrendering to Bail

[sen1603]

What happens when i answer to my bail? i presume they tell me if im being charged and ask me how i plead?is this what happens? also can i request the duty solicitor at this point as i refused it at time of arrest and first interview???

[Vesper99]

You have already been charged if released on bail.

You will be asked to plead.

You can request the duty solicitor

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Vesper99 seems to be assuming that you've been bailed to attend court. However your question makes it clear that you've been bailed to attend a police station.

It's quite common, for those who've been bailed to attend a police station, to simply be re-bailed. If this happens, you'll get no further than the front desk of the police station. The duty officer (or possibly the investigating officer, if he can be bothered to leave his office) will tell you that they're not ready to question you or charge you yet (e.g. because their investigations are continuing or because the investigating officer has gone sick). You'll be asked to sign a new bail form (which tells you the new date when you have to attend again) and given a copy.

It's not unusual for people to be re-bailed several times before anything actually happens. Eventually, you might be interviewed (or re-interviewed) if the police think that this is necessary (or if the Crown Prosecution Service have asked them to carry out a further interview). Following the interview, you might be bailed yet again (without being charged) or charged and then bailed to attend court. (You could also be held in custody until a court appearance but this would only happen if the alleged offence was particularly serious, if the police thought that you might interfere with witnesses, if the police feared for your safety or if they thought that you might re-offend before attending court).

[Buenchico]

In some cases, of course, there's no need for any further interview. The CPS will have advised the police as to whether they intend to proceed with the case (and the relevant charge) or whether they believe that there's no point in prosecuting you. In which case you'll simply be charged and probably bailed (as above) or unconditionally released, as appropriate.

If you're to be interviewed you can request the presence of a solicitor. If you don't nominate your own solicitor, the duty solicitor will be called. If you're to be charged, there's little point in having a solicitor present unless the police are considering holding you in custody until your court appearance.

Chris

[sen1603]

thanks very much that answer has cleared up all of my questions.cheers.

[Yorkie580]

It might be worth contacting the officer dealing to find out what's likely to happen. Make it clear that if you are to be dealt with you will be requesting a solicitor. If they say you are to be interviewed then you can arrange for a solicitor to go with you which will speed thing up immeasurably. If not, you could end up in a cell waiting for a solicitor.