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 · Days, evenings, weekends and bank holidays
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 over 30 years in criminal law. I'm a duty solicitor and a Higher Court Advocate.
I cover police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone, for people held in custody and for voluntary interviews. I can go further, up to an hour each way, if you don't mind waiting a bit longer for me to arrive. I work days, evenings, weekends and bank holidays, depending on the case. When you instruct me, I come myself. If two jobs clash and I can't get there, Tuckers Solicitors LLP can send another accredited representative. 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.
Custody rules
RIPA notices and when you must disclose a code.
After release
Spent periods, filtering, and accepting a caution.
Custody rules
PACE Code A, reasonable grounds, and your rights.
Interview strategy
When giving a statement is voluntary and when it is not.
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 up to an hour each way if you don't mind waiting a bit longer for me to arrive: custody, voluntary interviews, and pre-booked attendances.
Firms: send instructions with the agency form, or use the Show number button on the agency page to call or text my mobile.
Instruct cover (Contact)Firm enquiry formFull firm services →Coverage
I attend custody at North Kent (Gravesend), Tonbridge, Medway, Canterbury, Folkestone and Margate, and voluntary interviews at Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Swanley, Bluewater, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Dover and Tunbridge Wells. Maidstone custody is closed. The station only does voluntary interviews.
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 · Police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone
Browse the stations I cover on the coverage hub.
How we can help
I'm with you at the police station. If you're charged after I've advised you at the police station, your case will generally go to Tuckers Solicitors LLP for the magistrates' court or Crown Court. If you instruct me privately, I can represent you at court myself. I also cover weekend, bank holiday and Christmas courts.
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. If two jobs clash and I can't get there, I can pass it to a trusted rep I know, but only if you agree first.
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 Tuckers Solicitors LLP, or to me if you instruct me privately
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.
It depends where you're held and how busy custody is. Tonbridge is usually the quickest for me to reach, and Margate is nearer an hour. Call and I'll tell you straight away if I can take it, and give you a realistic time.
I attend custody at Medway (Gillingham), North Kent (Gravesend), Canterbury, Tonbridge, Folkestone and Margate, and voluntary interviews at Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Swanley, Bluewater, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Dover and Tunbridge Wells. Maidstone custody is closed. See the voluntary interviews page for more.
Yes. I don't work for the police, they don't pay me and I'm not connected to them. Legal aid pays for your advice. When I'm instructed, I act for you and nobody else, and anything you tell me is confidential. It can't be shared with the police without your consent.
A qualified solicitor has completed the full training and been admitted as a solicitor. A police station rep (accredited representative) is a non-solicitor who has passed the Police Station Qualification. I have over 30 years in criminal law, and I've been a solicitor since 2001, so I'm not only an accredited rep. I give independent legal advice at police stations within about 45 minutes of Maidstone.
Accredited rep: usually not a solicitor. They've passed the Police Station Qualification and attend police stations for a solicitors' firm. Criminal solicitor: a qualified solicitor who can advise at the police station and represent you in the magistrates' court. Duty solicitor: a criminal solicitor accredited to go on the legal aid duty rota, giving free advice at police stations and magistrates' courts. Higher Court Advocate: a solicitor with extra qualifications to appear in the Crown Court, including jury trials and sentencing hearings. I'm all four. Most of my work is at the police station. If you're charged after I've advised you at the police station, your case will generally go to Tuckers Solicitors LLP for the magistrates' court or Crown Court. If you instruct me privately, I can represent you at court myself. I also cover weekend, bank holiday and Christmas courts.
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 number 592449) where applicable. If you believe something on this page is incorrect, please contact us and say you are reporting a content error.