What are my rights if I'm arrested?

Upon arrest, your son has the right: to be told why he's being arrested; to remain silent; to consult a legal practitioner privately before questioning; to be brought before a court within 48 hours. Call Legal Aid on 0800 110 110 (toll-free) if you can't afford an attorney. Do not let him make any statements to police without an attorney present.

The 48-hour rule means he must appear before a magistrate who decides on bail. For a first-time offence without violence, bail is usually granted. A criminal defence attorney at the first appearance can make a significant difference to the bail amount set.