Getting Arrested

Getting Arrested

Arrest itself is, of course, a more serious matter than detention. If you are ever arrested by a police officer it is very important that you know your rights ... and that you exercise them intelligently. The onus is on the police to inform you of those rights and to verify that you understand the; but, since you are the one whose rights are in question, you had better be prepared to insist that everything be done correctly.
If you are arrested, you have the right:

• to obtain the help of a lawyer (counsel) - and to be informed of this right,
• to be informed without unreasonable delay of the specific offence with which you are being charged,
• to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law,
• to be supplied with an interpreter if necessary, and
• not to be deprived of your liberty or security except in accordance with the "principles of fundamental justice".

In the chart below determine the legality of each police action. When you have completed your choices check your answers to see how many you get correct.