NCJ Number
137942
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1991) Pages: 347-364
Date Published
1991
Length
18 pages
Annotation
England's Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984 (PACE) introduced new procedures to limit the length of detention before charge and safeguard the rights of suspects in custody, and the current research project examined the impact of PACE in a medium-sized northern England town.
Abstract
The project was conducted in three subdivisions contrasting geographic areas (city center, outer city area, and rural/seaside area). Custody records were analyzed for 4 years before and after PACE implementation in 1986. Data collection also involved interviews with 160 police officers during 1988 and 870 hours of observation during 1987. Although there was no significant change in the mean length of detention before charge in 1986 when PACE was implemented, 1987 saw a significant increase. PACE appeared to have brought about increase in the proportion of suspects requesting intimations and in the proportion requesting and receiving legal advice. Significant variations were observed in the nature, extent, and quality of legal advice. In addition, juveniles were sometimes deprived of legal advice if the appropriate adult did not ask for it on their behalf. Very few suspects were being given full information about free legal advice, and police officers may have been giving misleading advice in this area to suspects. Nonetheless, to some extent, legislative objectives of PACE were being gradually achieved in that many more suspects requested and received legal advice. 12 references and 6 tables (Author abstract modified)