Police & notices › Stopped or detained by police

Family member taken to police station at night

What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).

Before anything elseCall 112 or a lawyer now; ask which station and why.

Ask for the grounds of arrest and to inform a relativeStay calm and do not resist. Ask which police station, and call a lawyer or legal aid 15100. They must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.

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Your situation

What happened? Taken to the police station
Is this happening right now? Yes

Do these now

Contact a lawyer or legal aid (15100) for bail
Bail and production deadlines are short. Where: 15100 / local advocate

Papers to gather

Time, place, police station, and officers' names or badge numbers
Needed for any complaint or bail. Where: Write it down as soon as you can.
Names and numbers of people who saw it
Supports your version.
Your ID and, if driving, licence, RC and insurance
Most stops end quickly when papers are in order. Where: DigiLocker / wallet.
ID of the person detained and a family member's contact
Needed for bail and visits.

You may also need, depending on your answers

Arrest memo, seizure memo, notice or FIR copy — Your lawyer needs these first.

What the law says

Under the BNSS, an arrested person must be told the grounds of arrest, can have a relative or friend informed, can meet a lawyer, and must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours. For many offences police issue a notice to appear instead of arresting. Seized items, including phones, must be listed in a seizure memo.

General information, not legal advice.

Saboot will also ask

Were you given any paper (memo, notice, FIR copy)?

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Similar situations

Sources

The full guide: Police stopped, searched or detained me or a friend, or took my phone · All situations