Matthew Hardcastle

The authors' authoritative guidance is unrivalled. Comprehensive yet highly accessible and practical, Defending Suspects at Police Stations provides the answers to every day practical questions and problems. Initial chapters explain the basic principles of defending clients at the investigative stage and examine the key provisions of PACE and the Codes of Practice. Subsequent chapters tackle the various stages of advising a client including taking instructions, advising on 'silence', interview strategies, samples and searches, identification procedures and the charge decision. The book also includes dedicated chapters on advising and assisting vulnerable clients, on enforcement of the PACE and Code provisions, and on advising immigration detainees. The ninth edition is fully updated to include all key developments since the last edition in 2020, plus the latest codes, regulations and guidance issued by the Home Office, the College of Policing and the CPS and the latest case-law. Defending Suspects at Police Stationsis supported by bi-annual police station updates in Legal Action magazine.

Attendance at a police station requires representatives to respond to unexpected and rapidly changing events at very short notice. It is a frequent occurrence that a representative will be sent to a station to attend for a single matter but, by the time of their arrival, the client may have been arrested with new offences. This is a stressful situation requiring police station representatives to have law, practice, and procedure at their fingertips so that they can respond immediately and in a manner that represents the best interests of their client. Blackstone's Police Station Handbook provides indispensable and complete coverage of all aspects of a client's matter during the pre-charge and investigatory period. In particular, it focuses on the numerous substantive and procedural matters that may arise at short notice with an emphasis on the client, the representative and the defence. It provides detailed guidance on matters such as PACE interviews not dealt with by a police officer, dealing with vulnerable clients and funding, as well as providing extensive guidance on offences and procedural issues that are likely to arise at the police station. Unusually amongst titles on police station work, this book is written by and for legal practitioners and will be particularly valued by those who are newly qualified or who are probationary representatives. Blackstone's Police Station Handbook uses a similar format to Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook with an easy-to-use layout, facilitating quick reading and instant decision-making. Diagrams, flowcharts, and a clear system of icons aid comprehension and speedy navigation. It also includes cross-references to Blackstone's Criminal Practice.