Found Yourself in Legal Trouble in Ely? Here’s What to Do Next

While you may think that legal issues are something that happen to other people, you may well find yourself having problems with the police one day. Whether it’s due to a misunderstanding or you’ve made a mistake, it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself with legal issues.

Been arrested? Know your rights

While the police are obliged to read you your rights if you’re arrested, many people don’t listen to what’s being said to them, or they don’t quite understand. It’s obviously important not to say anything that may incriminate you, and although you have the right to silence, if there’s a simple explanation for the circumstances and you don’t tell the police right away, then a jury may wonder why you didn’t speak up.

When you are taken to the police station, you have the right to have someone you know notified that you’ve been arrested, for example, your partner or parents, and to get medical help if you’re ill. However, one of the most important things to do at this stage is to get legal help. You can ask for a criminal law solicitor and they’ll come to the police station to talk to you in private. Legal representation ensures that police are following guidelines, and that you get a fair interview and go through the right process. Many law firms offer a 24/7 service for those who have been arrested.

Get the right legal advice

If you haven’t been arrested but have been asked to go to a voluntary interview or are helping police with enquiries, then it’s still important to get legal help. Any potential legal trouble is very distressing, and you need someone who can tell you how to best protect yourself, as well as discussing what might happen next. There are a number of different areas of UK law, so if you are looking at a criminal case, you need a criminal lawyer, but if it’s something like a property dispute or a custody battle, you may be better off seeing a property lawyer or family lawyer.

Don’t ignore the issue

Legal issues don’t go away if you ignore them, in fact, they usually escalate and lead to further trouble. If you get legal help, then the issue is usually dealt with much more swiftly, which saves you money and time down the line. In some cases, you can buy some time by getting your lawyer to write a holding letter, which allows you to gather evidence. For example, if it’s a civil dispute or administrative law, then you may be able to get extra time to look for documents or request information. However, it’s important to get legal help to get the best chance of success.

Nobody deliberately gets themselves into legal trouble, and in many cases an arrest is simply a case of crossed wires. However, whether you’re innocent or not, it’s important not to ignore requests from the police or courts and to get the right help.

Some Ely Lawyers:

Ward, Gethin, Archer.
HEY Solicitors
Metcalfe Copeman & Pettefar Solicitors