Preliminaries to Prosecution Flashcards
What is the role of the custody officer and what rank must they have?
Responsible for the handling and welfare of suspects in detention. They must be a police officer of the rank of at least sergeant.
What will a custody officer do on a detainee’s arrival at the police station?
They will open a custody record and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to charge the detainee.
What information must be recorded on the custody record?
Basic information to be recorded must include:
-the requirement to inform the person of the reason for their arrest
-circumstances of the arrest
-why the arrest was necessary
-any comments made by the arrested person
It is essential that the solicitor attending the police station view this record as it should contain everything that has happened with the detainee.
When will the first review of a suspect’s detention take place and who by?
The review officer must be an officer of at least the rank of inspector who is not connected with the investigation of the offence and is not the custody officer.
S40 PACE states that the first review of the suspect’s detention will take place not more than six hours after the detention was first authorised and then periodically every nine hours thereafter.
What is the maximum period a suspect can be kept in custody before being charged and when does the relevant time begin?
Under S41 PACE, the maximum period that a suspect can be kept in custody before being charged is 24 hours from the relevant time.
The relevant time begins at the moment the suspect arrives at the police station and is indicated on the custody record.
Can the detention time limit be extended for summary-only offences?
No, this is not possible.
Can the detention time limit be extended for indictable only offences and who by?
The time limit can be extended up to a maximum of 36 hours after the relevant time by an officer of the rank of Superintendent or above (S42 PACE).
What is the maximum period of detention without charge?
The maximum period of detention without charge can be extended by the magistrates’ court up to a maximum of 96 hours from the relevant time under ss.43 and 44 PACE.
What conditions must be satisfied for detention to be extended?
-an officer of at least the rank of superintendent must authorise the continued detention;
-the superintendent or above has reasonable grounds for believing detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence or obtain evidence by questioning;
-the offence must be an indictable offence; &
-the investigation must be being conducted diligently & expeditious
What rights must a custody officer tell the detainee that they have?
-the right to consult privately with a solicitor and the availability of free independent legal advice;
-the right to have someone informed of their arrest; and
-the right to consult the Codes of Practice (COP)
How long can the right to consult a solicitor be delayed for?
A maximum of 36 hours.
What is the criteria to delay the right to consult a solicitor?
The criteria to delay the right is as follows:
-the person must be in detention for an indictable offence; and
-the authority to delay is granted by a superintendent rank at least
-the superintendent has reasonable grounds to believe that exercise of the right will:
o interfere with/harm evidence connected with the offence
o interfere with/harm others
o alert others suspected of committing an offence
o hinder the recovery of property obtained in consequence of the commission of such an offence
What is the criteria to delay the right to have someone informed of the arrest?
This right can only be delayed if the necessary criteria is met:
-the person must be in detention for an indictable offence
-the authority to delay is granted by an inspection rank at least
-the inspector must have reasonable grounds to believe that the exercise of the right will:
o interfere with/harm evidence connected with the offence
o interfere with/harm others
o alert others suspected of committing an offence
o hinder the recovery of property obtained in consequence of the commission of such an offence
When is an appropriate adult required and what is their role?
If a person is or appears to be under 18, they must have an appropriate adult present at the police station. This also applies to the mentally disordered and vulnerable.
The role of the appropriate adult is to ensure that the detained person understands what is happening and why and to support, advise and assist the detained person.
When can a person not act as the appropriate adult?
A solicitor/legal representative cannot act as the appropriate adult. A person cannot act as the appropriate adult if they are:
a) suspected of involvement in the offence
b) the victim of or a witness to the offence
c) involved in the investigation
d) of low IQ and unable to appreciate the gravity of the situation
e) estranged parent
f) a person who has received admissions from the person detained
g) solicitor/legal representative
What is an interview defined as?
An interview is widely defined by Code C, para 11.1A as “the questioning of a person regarding their involvement or suspected involvement in a criminal offence or offences”.
What is the caution and when must it be used?
Interviews must be carried out under caution therefore a person must be cautioned before they are interviewed and once again after every break.
“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence”.
What is the purpose of an interview and when should a solicitor intervene?
The purpose is to gather evidence. The solicitor should intervene if:
-undisclosed evidence is referred to
-clarification is required
-inappropriate questioning
-further client consultation is needed
-a break is required
What is the role of the solicitor at a police station?
The solicitor’s only role is to protect and advance the legal rights of their client. On occasions this may require the solicitor to give advice which has the effect of the client avoiding giving evidence which strengthens a prosecution case. The solicitor may intervene in order to seek clarification, challenge an improper question to their client or the manner in which it is put, advise their client not to reply to particular questions, or if they wish to give their client further legal advice.
What are the three options in the police interview for the client?
-Answer questions
-Don’t answer questions (no comment)
-Provide a written statement and go ‘no comment’
When should solicitors advise their client to remain silent?
In cases of little police disclosure and weak evidence.
When should solicitors advise their client to answer questions?
Putting a defence forward at an early stage is a good option if there is an alibi or self-defence.
Waiting to trial to put forward a defence can lead to adverse inferences and loss of credibility.
What is a significant statement?
A significant statement is one capable of being used in evidence against the suspect. At the beginning of the interview, the interviewing officer will put to the suspect any significant statement and the suspect will be asked whether they confirm or deny.
What is an adverse inference and what is its effect?
A common sense conclusion that is adverse to the interests of a party in proceedings.
The ultimate effect of an adverse inference is that it undermines the defence, as the jury or magistrates are effectively saying that the explanation given at trial has been fabricated.