How do you find out if you are in trouble with the police?

1. Do I have to give police my name?
2. How long do police have to charge you UK?
3. Can you be charged without being interviewed?
4. How long do police investigations take UK?
5. Can a PCSO search you?
6. What happens if you refuse to give police your name?
7. What evidence do the police need to charge you?
8. Can a person be found guilty without evidence?
9. Can you go to court without being charged UK?
10. What happens if the police don't caution you?
11. When should police caution you?
12. Can you refuse to go in for questioning?
13. Can I sue the police for not investigating UK?

Do I have to give police my name?

You DO NOT have to give your name and address unless the officer points out an offence he / she suspects you have committed. However, not providing your details may lead to you being detained for longer.

How long do police have to charge you UK?

The police can hold you for up to 24 hours before they have to charge you with a crime or release you. They can apply to hold you for up to 36 or 96 hours if you're suspected of a serious crime, eg murder. You can be held without charge for up to 14 days If you're arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Can you be charged without being interviewed?

What it comes down to is evidence, if you have been caught during the commission of a crime then you can be arrested on the spot, charged at the police station and interviewed under caution. If they have only a suspicion and no evidence then they can interview you voluntarily or under caution, then charge you.

How long do police investigations take UK?

Time Limits to Investigations

For cases which can only be heard in the Magistrates Court the police have a time limit of 6 months from the date that the offence took place to start proceedings against a defendant (S. 127 (1) Magistrates Court Act 1980).

Can a PCSO search you?

Your rights, and the law

Usually, under 'stop and account', the police officer or PCSO doesn't have the power to force you to stay. You can't be searched or arrested just because you refuse to answer their questions.

What happens if you refuse to give police your name?

You don't have to provide an explanation of your behaviour or a statement, however. If you refuse to provide your name, address, date and place of birth and nationality after you have been told by the police why they have stopped to question you this refusal is an offence you could be arrested and charged for.

What evidence do the police need to charge you?

The evidence they gather includes documentary, physical, photographic and other forensic evidence and not just witness testimony. The police arrest and interview suspects. All of this produces a file which when complete the police send to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for review and a decision on prosecuting.

Can a person be found guilty without evidence?

The straight answer is “no”. You cannot be charged and eventually convicted if there are no evidence against you. If you happen to be arrested, detained, and charged then there is most likely a probable cause or a physical evidence that points towards you.

Can you go to court without being charged UK?

If you have been charged or requisitioned you must attend court as failure to do so without reasonable excuse may lead to the issuing of a warrant and a further charge for failing to appear which is punishable separately by fine or imprisonment.

What happens if the police don't caution you?

So, if you refuse to accept a caution, the police could decide to refer your case to the Crown Prosecution Service who may decide to charge you and take you to court. If you're subsequently found guilty, you're likely to receive a conviction which could have more severe implications than a caution.

When should police caution you?

When there are grounds to suspect that a person has committed an offence, you must caution them before any questions about it are put to them to ensure that the answers (or any failure to answer) are capable of being admissible in evidence in a prosecution. 16.

Can you refuse to go in for questioning?

You have the constitutional right to remain silent. In general, you do not have to talk to law enforcement officers (or anyone else), even if you do not feel free to walk away from the officer, you are arrested, or you are in jail. You cannot be punished for refusing to answer a question.

Can I sue the police for not investigating UK?

You can take court action against the police for damages if a police officer has done something against the law, or failed to do something. However, these cases are rarely successful. You should get advice from a solicitor. Your legal costs might be more than the amount of damages you would get.