What should you do if you are arrested?

If you have been arrested, you should always politely insist that you have the chance to call a lawyer.

Do not resist police, even if you do not think your arrest is fair or lawful. If you resist police, you may be committing additional offences.

Do not make a statement to police until you have spoken to a lawyer. Deciding whether or not you should tell police anything in relation to your arrest is an important and complicated decision. It is generally best to speak with a lawyer before making that decision.

Find out more:

• When can the police arrest you
• After the arrest

How can a solicitor help?

If you have been arrested you should always try to contact a solicitor before you do anything else. They can help in many ways, including:

• Attending the police station with you (if they think it is in your interests)
• Advising you of your rights and what you should and should not do or say while in custody
• Applying for bail on your behalf
• Representing you in court

Get in touch with a solicitor

If you do not yet have a solicitor, do not worry. We have made it easy to find one near you through our online Find a lawyer service.