Q. What happens if I get arrested?

Q. When can I ask to see a solicitor?

Q. Will I have to go to court?

Q. Could I go to prison?

Q. What happens if I get arrested?

A. If you are under 17 the police must call an appropriate adult to the police station i.e. your social worker or foster carer. In addition you have the right to ask for a solicitor. This is a free service. Appropriate adults and solicitors have different roles. The adult is there to support you and the solicitor is there to give you legal advice.

Q. When can I ask to see a solicitor?

A. On arrival at the Police Station the Custody Sergeant will advise you of your rights including the right to free legal advice. If you want a solicitor then even if your social worker or foster carer don't think you need one you can ask for one.

Q. Can you recommend a lawyer / solicitor? A. There are many resources for finding a criminal solicitor in your area. For the Bromsgrove and Worcestershire area we recommend Worcestershire Solicitors Thomas Horton. Firstly Thomas Horton are a legal practice that is part of the CDS - Criminal Support Service and secondly that have many years experience in criminal law in the UK.

Q. Are there specialised solicitors that deal with legal matters associated with minors? A. Care Law recommends that you find a solicitor i.e. Romford solicitor which has a proven track record of cases involving minors to ensure your case is handled in the best possible way and that solicitors handling your case have prior experience in this area of law.

Q. What will happen to me if I’m found responsible for said crime? A. The severity, nature and your previous criminal background will depend on what will happen. In such an instance contacting employment law solicitors or any law firm offering crime legal services is advisable to try and limit the sentence or punishment received.

Many people think that a specialist solicitor is needed when dealing with Care Law cases, but the truth in fact is that many local Gosport solicitors or solicitors in your locality are likely to have had previous experience with care law cases. Please contact your local solicitors to enquire if they have any previous experience in this area of law.

In some instances children in care are left personal possessions by their carer in their will when they pass on. This can often cause conflict with other family members and can sometimes result in challenging the validity of a will . In instances like this, Care Law would suggest contacting a local legal service provider specialising in contesting wills and have prior experience in doing so.

Care Law provides questions and answers on a variety of subjects which people may have around this area of law, such as which solicitors in Staffordshire are experienced in Care Law, what are your rights as an individual in care, what happens when you leave care etc. Please contact us with further questions which aren’t currently listed on our site.

The area where you live will usually result in using a solicitor in your locality i.e. if you lived in Wimbledon, choosing a Wimbledon solicitor would be your first port of call for a number of reasons, which include, travel time, face to face communication and word of mouth recommendations from family, friends and work colleagues.

Care Law is the law associated with people in care. More detailed information can be received from a solicitor in Shropshire or solicitor within your area once specific information is known on a case by case basis.

To discuss the subject of care law with legal professionals, we would suggest researching the local law firms to find out whether your nearby family solicitor Hampshire has had previous experience in this area of law.

When seeking legal advice within the arena of Care Law each case has to be examined on a case by case basis by a London solicitor or solicitor with previous Care Law experience in your area.

Q. What if I am a victim of identity theft? If a criminal has given your details after being arrested for a crime you may find the police knocking on your door. If you use some kind of identity theft protection then this probably won't be an issue for you. If you don't and it does happen remain calm and explain it wasn't you. Offer your fingerprints as proof as anyone who is arrested will have had them taken

Care Law recommend that you use the resources available online to find a solicitor in Stamford , or in your area regarding Care Law. Online resources can provide reviews and detail specialisations that, that legal practice may hold.

In the instance of having to find a Care Law specialist, online resources are a great help in finding law firms in your area. Such legal resources will have different categories such as listings for employment law solicitors among other specific legal professions providing contact details and sometimes reviews on listed legal practices.

If you don't know a solicitor you can ask for the duty solicitor. (The duty solicitor is independent and is nothing to do with the police).

If you are at all worried about what may happen ask for a solicitor. Even if you think you have done nothing wrong it is still a good idea to have a solicitor present at this early stage.

Q. Will I have to go to court?

A. The police may deal with your case without you having to go to court but if you are charged with an offence you will go to a special court known as a youth court.

Q. Could I go to prison?

A. You cannot be placed into custody in a youth offenders institution under the age of 15 unless you are found guilty of a very serious offence and have been in trouble lots of times.

If you are between 12-14 the Court could make a secure training order. This might happen if you have been in trouble a lot and have three convictions and have been on a supervision order which has been breached (where you have not done things that you were ordered to do) or you committed another offence while on a supervision order.

If you are over 15 you can go to a Young Offenders Institution. This is part of the prison service.