If You Are Charged With a Crime

The legal rights you have if the police arrest you are different in each state and territory. Make sure you know what the law where you live says about your legal rights if you are arrested. Your legal rights if you are arrested by the police can include:

be told what you have been arrested for
an opportunity to speak to a lawyer
an opportunity to tell a friend or relative where you are
medical treatment
privacy from media cameras and interviews
an interpreter if required, and the right to wait for an interpreter before police interview you
be told about your before you are interviewed.

You may be able to have a friend or guardian with you during the interview. You can ask the police if this can happen.

You also have the right to silence. This means that in most cases you only need to tell the police your name, date of birth, and address.
The police will tell you if you need to legally answer any other questions.

It can be helpful to tell the police you have a disability so they can find you the right support.

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Page last updated: November 11, 2024