Just got out of police custody. Now what ?
You walk out of the station. The door slams behind you. It smells like cold coffee and disinfectant, your phone buzzes again, and honestly… your head is still spinning. A garde à vue does that to people. Even if nothing “serious” happened, it shakes you. So the real question is simple : what do you actually do after police custody ? And more importantly, what are your rights, your deadlines, your next moves ?
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First reality check : leaving custody doesn’t mean “it’s over”
This surprises a lot of people. You’re released, yes. But that doesn’t automatically mean the case is closed. Sometimes it is. Sometimes… not at all.
When a garde à vue ends, a few scenarios are possible :
- You’re released without further action. No charges, no summons. This happens more often than people think.
- You leave with a formal warning or a reminder of the law. Feels pointless, but it counts.
- You’re released but later summoned to court. Days, weeks, sometimes months later.
- The prosecutor keeps the file “under review”. That silence can be unsettling, honestly.
If you’re thinking, “But they didn’t tell me anything clearly”… yeah. That’s common. And frustrating.
Your rights don’t stop at the police station door
This part matters. A lot. Even after custody, you still have rights, and ignoring them is a mistake.
You have the right to a lawyer. Not just during custody. After. Especially after. A lawyer can :
- Access the case file (when it becomes available).
- Explain what the police report actually says about you.
- Anticipate what the prosecutor might do next.
- Stop you from saying something dumb later. And yes, stress makes people say dumb things.
You have the right to remain silent. Still. If the police call you “just to clarify something”, you’re allowed to say no. Or to say “with my lawyer”. Use that right. Seriously.
Deadlines : the part nobody explains clearly
Here’s where things get messy. There isn’t always a neat countdown timer after custody. But some timelines matter.
Police custody itself usually lasts up to 24 hours, sometimes extended to 48 hours depending on the case. After release, the prosecutor has options, and unfortunately, patience becomes part of the process.
If there’s a summons :
- It can arrive quickly.
- Or take months.
- Or never arrive at all.
That uncertainty is rough. I’ve seen people lose sleep over a letter that never came. My opinion ? If weeks go by and you’re anxious, consult a lawyer anyway. Peace of mind has value.
Should you contact a lawyer even if “nothing happened”?
Short answer : maybe. Longer answer : it depends on how much you like uncertainty.
If your case involves :
- Alleged violence
- Drugs
- Theft or fraud
- Repeat offenses
- Or conflicting statements
Then yes, I’d strongly recommend it. Even a single consultation can clarify a lot. And no, calling a lawyer doesn’t make you “look guilty”. That’s a myth. A stubborn one.
Common mistakes after police custody (don’t do these)
I’ll be blunt here. These are mistakes people regret later :
Talking too much. To friends, on social media, to the police again. Words travel.
Ignoring mail. That court letter won’t wait because you’re stressed.
Assuming silence means safety. Sometimes silence just means “not yet”.
And one more, maybe unpopular : googling random forums at 2 a.m.. It usually makes anxiety worse.
So… what should you actually do right now ?
If I had to sum it up, calmly and honestly :
- Take a breath. You’re out. That matters.
- Write down what happened while it’s fresh. Times, questions, answers.
- Watch your mail and your phone.
- Consider legal advice, even briefly.
- And don’t face this alone if it’s weighing on you.
Police custody is stressful. Nobody comes out of it feeling great. But with the right information and a bit of guidance, you can move forward without panic. And that, frankly, changes everything.