Caution Plus 3 Interviews

A Caution Plus 3 interview is also known as:

• A stand-alone interview
• A voluntary interview
• An appointment interview

It is usually conducted by an authorised officer at the police station. A police officer contacts the person they need to interview and invites them in for a “chat.” They will then ask the person to provide voluntary assistance to help with an ongoing investigation.

While it may seem very unofficial, it can be unsettling to get invited to come to the police station. Some people also take it very lightly, which is not the smartest decision.

Getting called in for a caution plus 3 interview

Many police officers have taken to calling in suspects for interviews under caution. This allows them to obtain information pertaining to a particular case, without going through the formality of making an arrest and taking them under custody.

Here's what the process usually includes:

• Receiving the invitation - The first step is getting an invitation through a letter, a card in the mail, or a telephone call. This correspondence asks the person to contact the police and arrange a convenient time for them to come down to the station.
• Contacting a solicitor - At this point, it's important to contact a reputable solicitor who can liaise with the police on your behalf. They will help you make the call and arrange the time and date for the interview, according to your convenience.
• Gathering information - The next part is collecting information pertaining to the interview and allegations. Going in for the interview blind and without knowing what you are getting into can be detrimental to your case. Your solicitor can call the police and ask them to release information about it. This is called disclosure and is a right of the person being called in for a caution Plus 3 interview.
• Private consultation before the interview - Before the interview, it's important that you have a private legal consultation session with your solicitors. They will assess the information and guide you regarding what you should and shouldn't say during the interview.
• The actual interview - the final part is going in for the interview at the specified time and date. There are three main elements when it comes to Caution Plus 3 interviews:
  • The interview is conducted under caution. This means that although the interview is voluntary, the information can be used later in court. Therefore, it's important to not disclose anything that can be used as evidence.
  • Any person who goes in for a caution Plus 3 interview is entitled to free legal advice or their own solicitor. Sometimes, the police make it seem that asking for legal counsel isn't important. However, the decision is up to the person who is giving the interview. Most legal experts highly recommend getting your own legal counsel.
  • Because the interview is voluntary, you have the right to leave the station at any stage of the process. Although in case there is reasonable doubt that the suspect might be guilty, the police can arrest you on the spot if you try to leave before the interview is over.

Having an expert solicitor with you during your Caution Plus 3 interview can make all the difference. At Wembley Solicitors, we can help you with all aspects of the interview, including the steps to be taken after the interview.