Describe the rights during detention at a police station of an individual suspected of a serious offence.

offence this phone call may be delayed for 36 hours to protect evidence or to prevent harm to others.  S56 of PACE states that a suspect has the right to legal advice/solicitor however for an indictable offence a senior officer may delay this for up to 36 hours for the same reasons as delaying a phone call. This decision to delay can only be justified on rare occasions and must be based on specific aspects of the case; like in the case R v Samuel, his mother was informed of the arrest though a phone call, then access to a solicitor was refused which was unnecessary as any reasons for the refusal would have already occurred as a result of the phone call, therefore the evidence was inadmissible in court and the conviction for robbery was quashed. Code C sets out that a detainee has the right to a well lit, heated and ventilated cell and also the right to two light meals and one main meal and drinks every 2 hours. S41 of PACE as amended by the Criminal Justice Order Act 2003 sets out the time limits on detention. It states the police have the right to detain a suspect for 24 hours. S42 states this time may be extended by another 12 hours for a total of 36 hours with the authorisation of a superintendent. If the suspect is believed to have committed an indictable offence then the 36 hours may be extended to a maximum of 96 hours however the police must apply to the magistrates’ court for authorisation to do this. S40 of PACE sets out that a detainee must have regular checks, the first at 6 hours then the rest every 9 hours. During detention Code C states that the detainee has the right to a continuous 8 hours of rest every 24 hours. For a serious or indictable offence the suspect must be searched for any evidence. S54 of PACE sets out the rules on a non intimate search. During this search the suspect has the right to a same sex officer performing the search, in private at the police station or in a police van. S55 of PACE sets out the rules on an intimate search. During this a suspect has the right to a doctor or nurse performing this search and again in a private room in the police station. During an interview Code E sets out that a suspect has the right for it to be tape recorded, Code F sets out that the suspect has the right for the interview to be video recorded and S34-39 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 sets out that the suspect has the right to be cautioned before the interview.