If you choose to be interviewed and are under 18, you will sit in the interview room with your Responsible Adult and usually two Police Officers will be present. See our fact sheet ‘Parents role at Police Station when their child is brought in for questioning by Police’ for more information.
Both Police Officers will ask you questions and write notes. The interview will be filmed and recorded.
At the start of the interview the Police will say:
“You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so, anything you say or do will be recorded and may be used in evidence.”
The Police will explain to you:
- You don’t have to answer his/her questions if you don’t want to.
- That whether to answer or not is your choice
- You can answer some questions but not others
- You can speak or be silent
If you do not wish to say anything, that is your right. If you do decide to answer questions, what you say on the audio/visual recording will be played to the court if you plead not guilty to the charge and go to a trial on the matter. If you decide not to speak, this cannot be seen as a sign you are guilty should your matter be heard in court.
If you decide not to speak, this does not imply that you are guilty as you have a right to remain silent.