Dau Tips

7 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE WRITING A STATEMENT AT A POLICE STATION. 1. Request access to your lawyer. Before making a statement, request the presence of your lawyer, particularly if you are being questioned as a suspect. Do not allow yourself to be intimidated into making a statement you do not understand. 2. Avoid leaving blank spaces. When you finish writing, draw a line through any unused space to prevent unauthorised additions. Where practicable, sign immediately after the final sentence. 3. Never sign a statement made under duress. If you are being threatened, intimidated or forced to make a statement, clearly communicate your objection and request legal assistance. In a situation where your objection and request are being ignored, sign by writing just “UD.” This means under duress, and explain it to your lawyer afterwards or explain it to the court. 4. If an officer writes your statement for you, be careful. If you cannot write and an officer records your statement as you dictate it, insist that the statement be read back to you. Confirm that it accurately reflects your words before signing or acknowledging it. And also tell the officer to include that he was the one who wrote it as you dictate. 5. Stick to the facts relevant to you. State only what you know and what is relevant to the matter. Avoid unnecessary explanations, speculation or assumptions. Never include anything you know to be false. And of course, write it to protect your interests. 6. Do not allow anyone to dictate your account. Your statement should reflect your own account of events, not a version supplied to you by an officer. Do not adopt words or allegations you do not understand or agree with. 7. Protect the integrity of every page. If you cannot fill a page, draw a line through the remaining blank space. Read the entire statement carefully, page by page, before signing it. Remember: Your statement may become important evidence in a criminal investigation or subsequent court proceedings. Take your time, understand what you are signing and seek legal advice whenever possible.