Green and black cross legal advice
Key Advice
KEY ADVICE IF GOING ON A PROTEST:
Download / Print / Distribute a 'Bust Card' with our arrestee support number on it. You can use you own or ones we've already prepared: Comprehesive [PDF] or Summarised [PDF]
On your body write
Legal Support 07946541511
Bindmans 02078334433
IF ARRESTED - NO COMMENT
You do not need to talk to the police about anything. If you are arrested, giving your name and address will speed up the process of being released. Any other information may be used against you and once you start talking it can be hard to stop: so don't say anything, it is easier! If they ask you questions, just say 'no comment', until you have spoken to a solicitor and don't sign anything.
DON'T USE THE DUTY SOLICITORS
If you're arrested you have a right to FREE legal advice. You can use a 'duty solicitor' but we STRONGLY advise against. If you haven't been told at the protest of local solicitors who have experience of dealing with protesters, we recommend you use BINDMANS ( 0207 833 4433 0207 833 4433) who should be able to come to your interview if you are in London or otherwise advise you by phone on what to do.
DON'T GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO COPS
When you are stopped or searched under any search powers, you don't have to give the cops your details. The only time you are legally required to give your name and address is if you are driving a vehicle or involved in a road traffic accident. If you are suspected of anti-social behavior (causing harassment, alarm or distress) or when the cops want to issue you with a summons with or fixed penalty notice, then the cops can arrest you if you fail to give them your details.
If you are arrested but you think there is no good reason for your arrest, the police may be just trying it on to get your personal details (they have a database to fill). At this point you can still refuse to tell the arresting offiver and say that you will give your details to the custody officer at the police station. You may find you are simply released so it can be worth waiting it out.
AVOID LETTING THEM PHOTOGRAPH YOU
You don't have to make it easy for them to photograph you - they have no power to force you to comply with being photographed or filmed unless you are being processed at the police station.
Check out the briefings page for more info.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US VIA 07946 541511 07946 541511 (KEEP THIS NUMBER WITH YOU)
* Call if you want practical advice about your rights!
* Call if you want arrestee support for your protest or action!
* Call if you want to know what to do after your arrest!
* Call if you were injured or subjected to unacceptable police behavior!
* Call if you filmed or witnessed an arrest or police misconduct!
* Call it you want information about the legality of occupations or campus protest!
* Legal Support in Scotland
* SCALP 0797 556 0809 0797 556 0809
* Clare Ryan (solicitor) 07977000312
*
www.scalp.noflag.org.uk.
