Guidance Hub
Voluntary Interviews
A voluntary interview is not casual, and it is not optional in the way it sounds.
The word 'voluntary' is reassuring, and it is meant to be. But a voluntary interview under caution carries the same weight as any other police interview: what you say is evidence, and it stays on the record.
People attend these interviews alone, believing that cooperation will end the matter. Sometimes it does. Often it does the opposite, because the interview is an opportunity for the investigation to build its case, not to close it.
Craig MacKenzie prepares clients for voluntary interviews so they understand exactly what is at stake before they walk through the door.
If this sounds like your situation
- The police have asked me to attend a voluntary interview
- I've been told it's just to get my side of the story
- I don't know whether to answer questions or stay silent
- I'm worried that refusing will make me look guilty
- I don't know if I need a solicitor for a voluntary interview
Speak to Craig at Forbes Solicitors before you respond to the police.
Make an Initial Enquiry →Personal professional website. Legal services are provided exclusively through Forbes Solicitors.
Where to start
Latest guidance
Frequently asked questions
Is a voluntary interview really voluntary?
You attend by agreement rather than under arrest, and you are free to leave. But it is conducted under caution, which means anything you say is evidence. The setting is informal; the consequences are not.
Can I take a solicitor to a voluntary interview?
Yes, and you should. You are entitled to legal advice at a voluntary interview exactly as you would be if arrested. Attending without it is where most avoidable damage is done.
What happens if I decline to attend?
Declining is a strategic decision, not automatically the wrong one. There can be consequences, but they should be weighed with advice, not guessed at under pressure.
Related guidance
The wider picture
What else could this affect?
An investigation rarely stays in one place. These are the areas that, depending on the facts, may also need to be considered.
Your liberty
A criminal investigation can carry the risk of arrest, bail conditions or, ultimately, prosecution; the position should be assessed early.
Your record
The outcome of an investigation may affect whether a criminal record arises, which can have consequences that reach well beyond the case itself.
Your reputation
An allegation, even one that is never charged, can create reputational exposure that benefits from a considered, strategic approach.
Your employer
An employer may become aware of, or need to consider, the allegation; the timing and approach can matter a great deal.
Your regulator or professional body
A regulator or governing body may take an interest in the same facts, and whether or when to engage should be considered with advice.
Before you act
The decision you may be facing next
People in your position often face one of these decisions before anything else. Each one is best made with advice, not under pressure.
Should I agree to attend an interview?
Should I answer questions in interview?
Should I provide documents that have been requested?
If the police have contacted you, do not return the call alone. Contact Craig at Forbes Solicitors to make an initial enquiry.
Personal professional website. Legal services are provided exclusively through Forbes Solicitors.
Do You Require Advice About Your Circumstances?
This material provides general information and is not a substitute for advice about a specific investigation or case.
Craig provides legal services exclusively through Forbes Solicitors. To make an initial enquiry, contact Craig at:
craig.mackenzie@forbessolicitors.co.uk
An enquiry does not constitute an instruction. Forbes Solicitors must confirm in writing that it has accepted the matter before any solicitor–client relationship arises.