Being unlawfully arrested or detained can be stressful and upsetting, and if you think that you have been a victim of false imprisonment by the police or authorities, we at Draycott Browne are here to help you.
The police hold significant power, and as such have a duty to act responsibly and within the confines of the law. However, we know that there are instances where this is not the case, so if you've been subjected to wrongful arrest, held without reasonable grounds, or even assaulted during detention, you have the right to seek justice.
Our expert criminal defence solicitors specialise in cases of false imprisonment and can guide you every step of the way to claim the compensation you deserve. Whether you were held in custody without any explanation or faced unnecessary aggression, we're here to support you and to ensure your rights are upheld.
Why choose Draycott Browne?
At Draycott Browne Solicitors, we are dedicated to ensuring that your rights are upheld, and your voice is heard. Our knowledgeable team is here to listen and support you through every step of the process; we will take the time to understand the impact this experience has had on your life, ensuring that your claim accurately reflects what has happened to you. We can help you to claim for physical injury, psychological trauma, lost earnings, and any medical treatment and rehabilitation where necessary.
The team at Draycott Browne are renowned for our personalised, compassionate, and diligent legal representation and our dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for every client. We combine extensive legal expertise with our utmost commitment to your case, so you can trust us to handle every aspect with the professionalism and care we are known for. If you need advice on a false imprisonment claim, contact us today for an assessment of your case. We will listen to your story and if you have a case we will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the resolution you deserve.
Criminal Defence Expertise for False Imprisonment
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Our Police False Imprisonment Advice Team
When Can Police Be Guilty of False Imprisonment?
False imprisonment by the police occurs when someone is unlawfully restrained or detained without proper legal justification. For an arrest to be lawful, the police must have reasonable grounds to believe that the person they are arresting may have committed a crime. This belief must also be one that a reasonable person, not just a police officer, would hold if presented with the same evidence. Additionally, there must be a valid reason for the arrest at that time, such as having grounds to believe that the suspect might flee the scene. If these conditions are not met, the arrest may be considered unlawful.
In cases of wrongful arrest, individuals may have grounds to claim compensation for false imprisonment, which covers the entire period from the moment of arrest to release. While many people associate false imprisonment by the police with extreme cases of long-term incarceration following a miscarriage of justice, most of the time cases stem from the police wrongfully arresting someone.
False imprisonment is not confined to situations involving the police – it can also happen when one person unlawfully detains another, such as locking someone in a room or physically preventing them from leaving. If you have been accused of kidnapping or false imprisonment, get expert legal advice from our kidnapping lawyers and protect your rights today.
How do I make a claim for false imprisonment by the police?
If you believe you've been unlawfully detained by the police or another authority, you may have the right to file a claim for false imprisonment. To do so, you need to prove that you were confined against your will, meaning that you were either physically restrained or felt that you couldn't freely leave a location. This doesn't necessarily mean that you were handcuffed or detained in a cell – people can be falsely imprisoned anywhere they are not free to leave, which could be on the street or in your own home.
In order to ensure that your claim has the best chance of success, gathering supporting evidence is key. Document everything related to the incident, including dates, times, locations, and any witness statements or video footage. This information can significantly strengthen your case. Once we can establish that you were detained, the burden shifts to the detaining party to prove that their detention of you was lawful.
It's important to remember that there are strict time limits when it comes to making a claim for false imprisonment by the police or authorities. Generally speaking, you have six years to file a claim for wrongful arrest or false imprisonment, but if you are pursuing a personal injury claim related to the incident, the time limit is reduced to three years. If you want to make a complaint against the police, you will generally have to do this within one year of the incident, however if you're making a claim on behalf of a child or someone without mental capacity, the time limits might be extended depending on the circumstances.
Given these tight deadlines and the legal complexities involved, it's vital that you seek expert legal advice as early as possible. At Draycott Browne, our knowledgeable team of false imprisonment solicitors will assess the merits of your case and can offer you advice on the next steps available to you. If you would like to discuss your case, don’t delay – it’s important to preserve the integrity of your evidence and to take steps in good time to avoid your claim timing out, and to ensure that you have the best possible chance of success.
Specialist False Imprisonment Lawyers
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- Proven Success in High Profile Cases
- Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation
Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s General Crime Solicitors today.
24 hour availability
Arrests cannot always be foreseen and can come at a time when you least expect it. Our legal advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to assist you whenever you need us. We can represent you at the police station to make sure you and your case are treated fairly and appropriately.
Legal aid
Everyone should be able to properly defend themselves, but unexpected legal fees can come as a costly surprise. If appropriate, our solicitors at Draycott Browne can guide you through the application process so that you have the best chance of receiving the financial assistance you need.
Private funding
At Draycott Browne, we are committed to supporting clients who choose to apply for Legal Aid funding. However, it’s important to understand that Legal Aid can limit the level of resources and support we are able to dedicate to your case.
Opting for private funding provides access to the very best legal representation from our team. This approach allows us to allocate more time, expertise, and resources to your defence, ensuring your case is handled with the utmost precision, creativity, and focus.
Through private funding, we can fully utilise the capabilities of our experienced legal team to meticulously examine every detail of your case. No element will be overlooked, and every potential avenue will be thoroughly explored to build the strongest possible defence on your behalf.
If you have been Unlawfully Detained, we strongly recommend considering private funding. It ensures you receive unrivalled legal support and significantly improves your chances of securing the best possible outcome.
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Contact Draycott Browne Solicitors
At Draycott Browne, we provide expert legal representation for individuals who have been falsely imprisoned by the police. If you have been held against your will without lawful justification, our highly skilled criminal defence solicitors have the expertise to challenge this serious violation of your rights and fight for the justice you deserve.
Nationally recognised for our success in handling complex cases of police misconduct and false imprisonment, we have a proven track record of securing justice for clients across Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Blackpool, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, London, and throughout England and Wales. We understand the devastating impact that false imprisonment can have on your personal and professional life, and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable.
As one of the UK’s leading Criminal Defence Law Firms, we take a proactive and strategic approach, tailoring our representation to the specific circumstances of your case. Our specialist legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing immediate support, expert legal advice, and determined representation when you need it most.
If you or a loved one has been falsely imprisoned by the police and are seeking legal assistance to challenge this injustice, contact Draycott Browne today for trusted guidance and expert legal representation.