What to Do When You Receive a Police Summons

Stay calm and understand your constitutional rights as a witness or suspect before attending police interrogations.

Receiving an official police summons frequently causes anxiety. However, maintaining composure and understanding procedural safeguards prevents critical missteps.

1. Verify the Summons Status: Check whether you are summoned as a Witness or Suspect, noting the police report number, alleged criminal articles, and investigator details.

2. Check Summons Notice Timelines: Under Article 112(1) KUHAP, valid summonses must be delivered at least 3 days prior to the designated examination date.

3. Right to Legal Representation: From the first examination, you possess the right to be accompanied by counsel to ensure questions remain lawful and uncoerced.

4. Right to Free Testimony: You are entitled to provide truthful testimony without duress, threats, or intimidation.

5. Review the Interrogation Record (BAP): Carefully read the entire BAP before signing. You are entitled to request revisions if any statement is recorded inaccurately.

Never attend formal interrogations without preliminary legal consultation with experienced criminal defense advocates.