What is a Caution+3 Interview?

When the police invite you to attend an interview "voluntarily," it can be deeply misleading. The term they use for this procedure is a "Caution+3 interview." While it may sound less formal than being arrested, it is a serious and critical stage of a criminal investigation. Everything you say is recorded and can be used against you in court. Understanding the nature of a Caution+3 interview and your rights is essential to protecting yourself, and attending without expert legal representation is a significant and unnecessary risk.

At Central Chambers Law, our senior legal consultants are experts in police station representation. We understand that a voluntary interview is a formal, evidence-gathering process where the stakes are just as high as an interview under arrest. Our function is to provide immediate, strategic advice to ensure your rights are protected and you do not inadvertently incriminate yourself. We are specialists equipped to guide you through this process with clarity and authority.

Understanding the "Caution+3" Terminology

A "Caution+3 interview" is the official name for a voluntary police interview. The name itself breaks down the process:

• Caution: The interview must begin with the police caution: "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."
• +3: The "+3" refers to the three additional rights the police must inform you of before the voluntary interview begins. These are:
• 1. The right to free and independent legal advice.
  2. The right to have someone informed of your attendance at the station.
  3. The right to consult the Codes of Practice, the rulebook governing police procedure.

This formal structure confirms that, despite being "voluntary," it is a significant legal event governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). It is an alternative to arrest, used when the police believe a suspect will attend without being compelled to do so.

Your Rights During a Caution+3 Interview

Knowing your rights is the first and most crucial step in protecting your position. The police are legally obliged to respect these rights throughout the process.

• The Right to Free Legal Advice: This is your most important right. You are entitled to have a solicitor of your choice present during the interview, free of charge. You can speak to them in private before and during the interview. The police cannot discourage you from seeking legal advice.
• The Right to Remain Silent: As the caution states, you are not required to answer questions. Deciding whether to speak or to exercise your right to silence is a complex tactical decision that should only be made after receiving expert legal advice.
• The Right to Leave: Because your attendance is voluntary, you are technically not under arrest and can leave at any time. However, if you try to leave, the police may decide to arrest you to prevent you from doing so. This decision should also be guided by your solicitor.

The Serious Risks of Attending Without a Solicitor

Attending a Caution+3 interview alone is one of the most dangerous decisions a person can make during a criminal investigation. You are entering a high-pressure environment to be questioned by trained investigators whose goal is to gather evidence against you.

The potential risks are severe:

• Self-Incrimination: It is easy to misspeak, get confused, or agree with an officer's summary of events under pressure. This can amount to an unintended confession.
• Strengthening the Police Case: You may unintentionally provide information that opens up new lines of enquiry for the police or fills in gaps in their evidence.
• Misunderstanding the Caution: Without legal advice, you may not fully appreciate the risk of an "adverse inference" (your silence being used against you) and feel pressured to speak when it is not in your best interests.
• Being Unprepared: You will not know the details of the allegation or the strength of the evidence against you before being questioned, placing you at a significant disadvantage.

Why Central Chambers Law Provides the Definitive Defence

Expert legal representation transforms a Caution+3 interview from a high-risk interrogation into a managed, strategic process. A solicitor's role is not passive; it is an active defence of your rights and interests.

Clients trust Central Chambers Law because we are experts in making the correct tactical decisions at the police station. Our reputation is founded on our proactive and intelligent approach to protecting clients from the very beginning. Our role involves:

• Securing Pre-Interview Disclosure: We insist that the police provide us with information about the case against you before the interview starts. This allows us to understand the evidence and advise you from a position of knowledge.
• Providing Strategic Advice: After reviewing the evidence, we consult with you in private. We will provide a clear recommendation on the best strategy: to answer questions, to remain silent ("no comment"), or to provide a pre-prepared written statement.
• Actively Protecting You in the Interview: We will be by your side throughout the interview. We intervene to stop unfair, misleading, or oppressive questions and ensure that your answers are accurately recorded. We ensure the police follow the rules of PACE to the letter.
• Driving a Positive Outcome: Our proactive involvement often leads to cases being dropped without charge. By effectively managing the interview and making legal representations to the police, we can prevent a weak case from proceeding any further.

Our focused expertise means we are perfectly equipped to provide the robust, intelligent guidance needed to navigate this critical stage and secure your legal position.

Protect Yourself: Insist on Legal Representation

The police may suggest that having a solicitor will slow things down or make you look guilty. This is incorrect. Asking for a solicitor is the action of an individual who understands their rights and the gravity of the situation. It is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself.

Never attend a Caution+3 or voluntary interview without an expert solicitor. If you have been invited to the police station, your first action should be to seek legal advice. Contact our expert criminal defence solicitors immediately for a confidential consultation.

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