Publication - Advice and guidance

Letter of rights - your rights when you are in a police station: easy read

This letter for people held in police custody in Scotland, sets out their rights in straightforward language. This version was created in April 2023

How long can you be kept at the police station?

The police can keep you for up to 12 hours without charging you with a crime.

The police will offer you food at meal times if you are kept for more than 4 hours.

If there are any foods you can't eat, tell the police as soon as possible.

If you are thirsty ask the police to give you water.

The police can keep you up to 24 hours but only if a Police Inspector agrees to this (or a Chief Inspector if you are under 18 years old).

You have the right to have your say about this decision, or you can choose to have your lawyer speak to the police for you.

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