New police caution
01 September 1994
The new police caution, planned for use from March 1995, reads as follows: "You do not have to say anything. But if you do not mention now something which you later use in your defence the court may decide that your failure to mention it now strengthens the case against you. A record will be made of anything you say and it may be given in evidence if you are brought to trial". This will replace the much shorter: "You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so, but what you say may be given in evidence". The change is based on the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill which will allow judges and prosecuting lawyers to make unfavourable inferences if a defendant remains silent.