In a criminal interview you have a right to silence, and you cannot be compelled to answer questions. Before you choose to answer questions in a police interview, you should consider your options very carefully.nnYou will be cautioned and read your rights, which includes your right to speak with a family member and/or a legal practitioner. You must be given a reasonable opportunity by the police to contact a family member and/or a lawyer. If you have not already done so, you should always exercise your right to contact a legal practitioner when your rights are read to you.nnAs a general rule, particularly when you do not have access to a lawyer, you should exercise your right to silence in a criminal interview. You can do so by answering “No Comment” to all questions asked of you.nnIf there is sufficient evidence to constitute a case against you, you will most likely be charged. Answering questions will, as a general rule, not detract from the police case that already exists – it will only put your opposing view. If there is not enough evidence to warrant you being charged, then refusing to answer questions cannot provide more evidence. As a matter of law, a Court cannot draw any adverse inference against you as a result of you exercising your right to silence.nnWhether you answer questions or not should not affect your chances of being charged. Either there is sufficient evidence to charge you or there is not. The contents of your record of interview will in normal circumstances be admissible evidence against you. If you make admissions in the interview (even if you do not realise that you have), those admissions may provide enough evidence for you ultimately to be found guilty of the offence for which you are being investigated.nnYou should never answer questions on a selective basis, you should either answer no comment to every question or provide your full version of events.nnYou will be requested to provide your fingerprints. If you refuse, the police can use reasonable force to take your fingerprints.nnYou might be advised by a Police officer that unless you cooperate and answer their questions you will not be given bail. Do not be intimidated into answering questions on that basis.