Your Rights
Photograph, Fingerprint and Footprint
Bail


Your Rights

You should ask to make a phone call as soon as you arrive and keep asking until you are allowed to make the call. Phone someone you trust and tell them to come to the police station as soon as possible. They can get a lawyer for you. Otherwise tell the police you want to speak to a free lawyer on the Bill of Rights list before you talk to them.

Make sure you tell your lawyer if you need medical attention or medication of any kind. If you are under 20 the police can phone your next of kin (usually your parents) to tell them you are at the police station.

Photograph, Fingerprint and Footprint

If you are arrested the Police can photograph and fingerprint and footprint you. See "Fingerprinting and Photographs" for further information.


They can also search you, your clothing and any bag you were carrying. They will check your property out item by item and give you a receipt. The police will hold all your property until you are released from the Police station. If it is unlawful (for example drugs) or it is needed as evidence, it will not be returned to you when you are released.

Bail

Ask for bail. That is the right to go free until your case comes up in court. You have the right to get bail unless there is a good reason for holding you in custody.


You do not have to put up any money for bail. The police can get you to sign a bail bond saying that if you breach the terms of your bail (eg. failing to report to the police station) you will be charged and arrested without warrant regardless of your age.

If you are under 20 and the police think you are too young to understand what you are signing they can get your parents to come to the police station to make sure you understand.

It is helpful to write down everything that happened as soon as possible after any incident with the police, because you don’t know how long it will before the matter goes to court. Get any witnesses to do the same.