Police interviews
Attendance at the station or at a voluntary interview, at any hour, with the private consultation and any follow up with the officer in the case.
Attendancefrom $450
Before the interview, talk to a defence lawyer
Harrow and Vance Defence represents people at police interviews, in court and on appeal. Our line is answered at any hour, and everyone we act for is presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise.
Any hourthe line is answered
Presumed innocentfrom the first call
Feesexplained before we start
Someone arrested right now? Call +44 20 7946 0181. A lawyer answers or calls back within 20 minutes, and you do not need to know which station they are at.
Call the lineWhat usually happens at a police interview
A general outline, not legal advice. The order, your rights and even the words used differ from country to country, and we explain how they apply to you before any question is asked.
You are told why
Officers usually explain what the interview is about and whether you are under arrest or attending by choice. Note what you are told, or ask us to.
A private talk with your lawyer
In many countries you can speak to a lawyer alone before any questions. We use that time to hear your account and learn what the police have disclosed.
Questions, on the record
Interviews are usually recorded. Your lawyer sits beside you, can pause the interview to advise you in private and can object to unfair questions.
How you respond
Depending on the law where you are, you may answer, give a written account or decline to comment. That choice is yours, made after private advice on the facts.
What comes after
You may be released while enquiries continue, released with no further action or charged. We tell you which applies, and what it means, before you leave.
Where we stand beside you
Fees depend on the stage and the country, and we explain them before we begin. In some places public funding may cover part or all of the cost; we check whether it could apply on the first call.
First court hearings
Representation at the first appearance, including any application for you to stay at home while the case goes on.
Hearingfrom $650
Preparing a defence
Reading the evidence, taking your account, tracing witnesses and instructing experts where the case calls for them.
Preparationquoted in writing
Trials
Advocacy at trial by a lawyer who knows the file, with a plan agreed with you well before the day.
Trialquoted in writing
Sentencing
Where there is a guilty plea or a conviction, mitigation and references prepared so the court hears about the whole person.
Hearingfrom $700
Appeals
A written review of a conviction or sentence, an honest view on the grounds and, where grounds exist, the appeal itself.
Written reviewfrom $900
Presumed innocent, and treated that way
Being questioned or charged does not make anyone guilty. We start from that position with every client, and we keep to it in how we speak to you, to your family and to the other side.
What you tell us stays between us, within the duties lawyers owe the court where we act. We will not judge you and we will not promise you a result, because no honest lawyer can. We will tell you plainly how strong the evidence looks and what your choices are.
- A named lawyer who knows your file
- Calls returned the same working day
- Every hearing explained beforehand
- Your decision, after our advice
Calling for someone else
Have these to hand if you can. If you have none of them, call anyway.
| What helps | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Their full name and date of birth | Lets us confirm where they are held and ask to speak to them. |
| Where they were taken, if known | Saves time tracing them between stations. |
| What officers said when they left | Hints at the allegation and the stage reached. |
| Any medicines or health needs | We can make sure custody staff are told. |
| A number we can reach you on | So we can update you, within what the person allows us to share. |
Our rooms, and the places we go
Words from clients and families (example reviews)
Called at two in the morning about our son and spoke to a lawyer within minutes. She explained the interview calmly and rang back the moment he was released.
The evidence was explained line by line and every option set out. The decision stayed with us, and nobody ever spoke as if the charge were already proven.
Fees were set out in writing before the first hearing, with no surprises after. Clear, steady and always reachable.
Before you call, or while you wait
Does asking for a lawyer make someone look guilty?
No. In many countries it is a right, and using it says nothing about guilt. The rules differ, so we explain how they work where you are.
Can you promise a result?
No, and be wary of anyone who does. We can promise a careful defence, honest advice about the evidence and clear explanations at every stage.
Can a family member call on someone's behalf?
Yes. We need the person's name and, if possible, where they are held. What we can tell you afterwards depends on what they allow us to share.
What does a call to the line cost?
Only your normal call charge. Attendance at the station is charged by stage, and we explain the fee, and whether public funding may apply, before we go.
Do you act in other countries?
Only where our lawyers are qualified. Who may represent you, and how, differs by country; if we cannot act, we say so straight away.
Is anything on this page legal advice?
No. It describes how we work in general terms. Advice depends on the facts and the law where you are, and begins once we agree to act for you.
Send a confidential message
For an arrest happening now, please call rather than write: the line is quicker.
For an interview invitation, a court date or a possible appeal, tell us a little here and a lawyer will reply within one working day. Keep it brief, and leave out anything you would not want written down.
Reaching Harrow and Vance
Phone, email and office
Offices near the central court district, with lawyers attending police stations across the city
When we answer
| Phone line | Any hour, every day |
| Office, weekdays | 08:30 to 18:30 |
| Office, Saturday | 10:00 to 14:00 |
| Sunday and holidays | Phone line only |
Out of hours
After the office closes, the same number is answered by the lawyer on call. If it rings out, leave your name and number and they will call back within 20 minutes.
Call +44 20 7946 0181