Criminal defence solicitor in Kent. Independent of the police.
I'm Robert Cashman, a criminal defence solicitor. I've worked in criminal law for 30 years plus, and these days nearly all of it's in Kent police stations. I don't work for the police. When I'm instructed, I act for you and nobody else.
Had a letter, call or card asking you to come in? Don't ring the officer back to explain your side. Get advice first. Police station advice is free under legal aid, and it isn't means-tested.
If someone close to you has been arrested and is in a cell right now, use the custody option below. I'll tell you quickly whether I can act.
Pick the option that fits.
Interview under caution
Had a letter, call or card asking you to come in? It's an interview under caution, even though you're not under arrest. I'll speak to the officer, find out what it's about, and sit next to you in the interview room.
Current custody
They're being held at North Kent, Medway, Tonbridge or another Kent custody suite. Answer a few quick questions and I'll tell you whether I can help.
Independent criminal defence · Police station advice free under legal aid · Extended hours, including evenings and weekends
Looking for the police? Call 999 in an emergency or 101 otherwise. I can't take crime reports or pass messages on.
Robert Cashman
I'm Robert Cashman. I've been a solicitor since 15 January 2001, and I worked in criminal defence for years before I qualified, so it's 30 years plus in criminal law. I'm a duty solicitor and a Higher Court Advocate.
I cover Kent police stations, for people held in custody and for voluntary interviews, during extended hours including evenings and weekends. When you instruct me, I come myself. I don't send someone else. If the person in custody agrees, I'll keep their family updated while they're held.
I also created Custody Note, an app for police station notes.
Not Kent Police. For the police call 999 or 101.
Kent clients
“I was terrified when the police contacted me. Robert attended quickly and handled everything professionally. Case dropped.”
“Excellent duty solicitor. Arrived within 30 minutes and gave me confidence during a very stressful time.”
Established credentials
Robert Cashman: accredited duty solicitor & Higher Court Advocate via Tuckers Solicitors LLP. About Robert · Client testimonials
Client voices
Feedback from people I've represented at Kent police stations.
Every case is different. Past results don't guarantee future outcomes.
Robert helped me when I was arrested in Swanley. I was very worried but he calmed me down and got me released without charge. Excellent service.
AK
from Swanley
After you request help
You won't find my number on every page. A lot of people land here looking for the police, and those calls tie up the line for people who need a solicitor tonight. Use one of the two options above and you'll get through.
I check what you've told me: a booked interview, or someone in custody now.
I come back to you on the details you gave, then call the officer to find out what they're prepared to disclose.
I tell you plainly what to expect, how we'll prepare, and that I'll be at the station with you.
Legal guides
Start with PACE Code C and the essentials: custody time limits, no comment interviews, bail, and voluntary interview risks.
Featured guide
Custody & interview rules (the core legal framework).
Read the guide →Interview strategy
When it helps, when it hurts, and adverse inference.
Custody rules
How long you can be held and what happens next.
After release
Bail conditions, extensions, and what to do.
Interview strategy
Don't attend without advice—protect yourself early.
After release
What it means and how to handle it.
Non-police interviews under caution: PACE-style rights, preparing for council, DWP or HMRC investigators, and legal advice funding. Independent guide — not the police.
Read ArticleSave my details to your phone in case someone you know is arrested in Kent. I'm a defence solicitor, not the police.
For criminal defence firms
Instruct Robert Cashman for reliable police station agency attendance at Kent police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone, or further if there's enough time allowed: custody, voluntary interviews, and pre-booked attendances.
Professional instruction routes — solicitor telephone is not listed publicly; use Contact pathways or the agency form.
Instruct cover (Contact)Firm enquiry formFull firm services →Coverage
We attend Kent custody suites and voluntary interview locations. Regular extended-hours cover at North Kent (Gravesend) and Tonbridge — two of the county's main 24-hour custody facilities — alongside Medway, Canterbury and the rest of Kent. Maidstone custody is closed (voluntary interviews only).
North Kent (Gravesend)
Thames Way — 24-hour custody
Medway
Purser Way — 24-hour custody
Tonbridge
West Kent — custody & interviews
Also covering
Free police station advice in Kent · All Kent police station coverage
Browse all Kent stations on the coverage hub.
How we can help
Someone with you at the police station (and, if charged, court via Tuckers Solicitors LLP) plus extra support if you instruct privately.
I attend police interviews, voluntary attendances and custody in Kent. Police station advice is free under legal aid. It isn't means-tested.
Duty solicitor cover for criminal law firms. I attend myself and send a full typed attendance note as a PDF.
You deal with a senior solicitor directly. We stay involved from first call to the end of the case.
From station to court
I handle the police station stage. If you're charged, the case moves to Tuckers Solicitors LLP with my notes so you're not explaining everything again to a stranger.
Advice before interview
To court specialists
Magistrates & Crown
Common questions
No. PoliceStationAgent.com is an independent criminal defence solicitor service, not Kent Police. We can't take crime reports, deal with station opening times, lost property, or police complaints. For police assistance call 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency), or use the official Kent Police website. If you have a voluntary interview letter or someone in custody now, use the pathways on this site.
Yes. Everyone arrested or invited for a voluntary interview in Kent is entitled to free legal advice at the police station. This is a statutory right under PACE 1984 and isn't means-tested. It's free whether you ask for the duty solicitor or name your own solicitor. Start with Request representation if you have a letter or booked interview.
We aim to respond promptly. Attendance times depend on location, custody demand and solicitor availability.
We cover Kent's operational custody suites including Medway (Gillingham), North Kent (Gravesend), Canterbury, Tonbridge, Folkestone and Margate. We also attend voluntary interview stations across Kent, including Maidstone (custody closed / VAI only), Ashford, Dover, Sevenoaks, Sittingbourne, Swanley and Tunbridge Wells. See our voluntary interviews page for Kent VAI cover.
Yes, absolutely. Your solicitor is completely independent of the police and works only for YOU. We aren't employed by, paid by, or connected to the police in any way. Legal Aid funds your representation, not the police. Everything you discuss with your solicitor is confidential and can't be shared with the police without your consent.
A qualified solicitor is a fully trained legal professional who has completed the Legal Practice Course and training contract. A police station rep (accredited representative) is a non-solicitor who has passed the Police Station Qualification. Robert Cashman is a qualified solicitor with 30 years plus in criminal law, not only an accredited representative, providing expert independent legal advice at all Kent police stations.
Understanding the different legal roles helps you know what qualifications your representative has: Accredited Rep (Accredited Police Station Representative): A non-solicitor who has passed the Police Station Qualification (PSQ) to attend police stations on behalf of a solicitor's firm. They can provide legal advice and representation at police stations but aren't qualified solicitors. Criminal Solicitor: A fully qualified solicitor who has completed the Legal Practice Course and training contract, admitted to practice criminal law. They can represent clients at police stations, magistrates' courts, and provide legal advice throughout the criminal process. Duty Solicitor: A qualified solicitor who is accredited by the Law Society and on the Legal Aid duty rota. They can provide free legal advice at both police stations and magistrates' courts under Legal Aid. A duty solicitor must be a qualified solicitor (not just an accredited rep). Higher Court Advocate: A solicitor who has obtained additional qualifications to appear in the Crown Court, representing clients in serious criminal matters including jury trials, sentencing hearings, and complex legal arguments. This is an advanced qualification beyond standard solicitor status. Robert Cashman is all four: he is an accredited police station representative, a qualified criminal solicitor, an accredited duty solicitor (for both police stations and courts), and a Higher Court Advocate with experience appearing in the Crown Court. This practice is police-station first. If your case goes to court, representation continues via a handover to Tuckers Solicitors LLP, not continuous solo advocacy by Robert alone from station through trial.
Read our comprehensive guide: Police Station Interviews in Kent: Your Rights and What to Expect — covering your rights under PACE 1984, what happens during interview, and the role of a solicitor.
General information only — not legal advice. While every care is taken to ensure what is stated is accurate and reflects current law and official guidance, errors may occur and the law changes. Do not rely on this page instead of advice from a qualified solicitor about your own situation. Legal services are provided through Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795) where applicable. If you believe something on this page is incorrect, please contact us and say you are reporting a content error.