HAYWOOD, LUNN & ALLEN LTD – COMPANY NO - 10908559 – SUITE 9 , NORMANBY GATEWAY, SCUNTHORPE, DN15 9YG
21 Chantry Lane, Grimsby, DN31 2LP
Tel: 01472 326596 / 24Hr / Text - 07458 665766 / 07980 431367
24Hr Criminal Defence Specialists
Haywood, Lunn & Allen Solicitors
The vast majority of people arrested in this country are unaware that they are fully entitled to FREE representation by a solicitor of their choosing 24 hrs a day. The majority of these people then go on to be interviewed without having taken advice of a solicitor and invariably can end up talking themselves into a charge where they simply did not understand the law and the position they were in or admitting the offence when the police simply do not have any evidence against them.
Many firms boast a 24hr service but in actuality this means that someone (not necessarily a qualified solicitor) may very well speak to you on the phone while you are at the police station. At HLA-LAW our solicitors are on hand to give advice and assistance at the police station 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This means that there will always be someone available to come IN PERSON to the station no matter the time of the day or night if necessary.
All the advisers are qualified solicitors and members of the criminal litigation accreditation scheme and or full DUTY solicitors.
Our advice and assistance is ALWAYS 100% FREE. Simply tell the police on arrival that you want us to deal with you and we will be contacted immediatley.
The solicitor’s role at the police station is to protect and advance the legal rights of his client.
A detainee has a right to free legal advice and to be represented by a solicitor. The solicitor’s only role in the police station 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. Examples of unacceptable conduct by a solicitor include answering questions on a suspect’s behalf or providing written replies for the suspect to quote.
To investigate the police case, the prosecution evidence, the police investigation and all police contact with and conduct towards, the client
To assess the extent of the client’s vulnerability and ability to comprehend, to cope and communicate to best effect in any police interview.
To identify the safest defence for the client: To remain silent: To provide a written statement: To answer police questions.
To influence the police to accept the client is not guilty.
To influence the police not to charge the client. The police should not charge: if (a) Their evidence is not strong enough (b) they lack admission evidence from the client. To charge in the context of inadequate evidence constitutes expediency, counter to ethical conduct and to the spirit and letter of the law.
To influence the police to make the most favourable case disposal decision for the client. The police should implement the most constructive alternative to charging relative to the circumstances of the case and the client: No further action: Release on bail: Or administration of a Simple caution, Conditional caution, Reprimand or Final warning.
To create the most favourable position for the client if s/he is charged. The conduct of the client in the light of solicitors advice and the police response to this should constitute the basis for: (a) The client to be found not guilty: (b) the client to have mitigation if s/he pleads guilty.
Interviews as volunteers
On occasion the police may very well ask a person to attend a VOLUNTARY interview under caution. A person should not be lulled into a false sense of security. This is still an interview under caution and can be used in court. In fact the only difference is that a person can walk out of a voluntary interview half way through. The same level of evidence and legal provisions exist in an interview under caution and a person can still ‘talk themselves into a charge’ as described above. Therefore it is vital that if the police want to arrange an interview as a volunteer you contact a solicitor to attend with you.
We at HLA-LAW are on hand at a moments notice to attend such an interview and again our attendance with you is 100% FREE!