Hi, first time on this site, and first post, so bear with me if this has come up before.
During the last 3 years, two of my teenage children have been detained by local police, and dealt with unlawfully.
Won't bore you with the details, but in the most serious incident recently, my 18 yr old daughter almost accepted a police caution for an offence she did not commit, as she had the impression this would be a 'ticking off' - and if she accepted a caution, there would be no record, and also no need to tell her parents that she had been detained.
She was very wrong, a caution is a very serious matter, but she did not get legal advice at the time she was detained.
My advice is, even if you think there is no chance that your kids will find themselves in this position, is to make it very clear that if they are questioned, or detained for any reason, they should take advantage of the presence of a legal advisor every time.
(My daughter called the police to help her to deal with a feuding couple, and when she tried to go home, she was unlawfully detained, shoved by an overbearing police officer, and then accused of assault herself - so that the officer could justify the push.)
To try and cut a long story short, she elected to refuse a caution, and argue her case in court. In fact, the case did not proceed due to lack of evidence and she is now suing the police.
I am a former police officer, her dad is a police officer, her grandad was, and her uncle is also a police inspector. I am not anti police, but I am so shocked by the way this has turned out, it has led me to conclude that the caution system is being grossly misused.
I think young people are particularly vulnerable to this arbitary form of justice, and once you have accepted a caution, it is on your record for life, as an admission of guilt.