DETENTION - WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS?
If you have been detained by police officers, remember that:
your detention can last for a maximum of 48 hours, unless the public prosecutor applies to the court during this time for provisional arrest against you. If such a request is made, the court will have a further 24 hours to make a ruling on your provisional arrest. Consequently, you can be detained for a maximum of 72 hours unless a preventive measure in the form of pre-trial detention is applied to you during this time.
Remember that you have the right to:
TO CONTACT AND BE ASSISTED BY A LAWYER OR LEGAL ADVISER.
Immediately after your arrest, you may request that the officers allow you to contact a lawyer. Remember that the law does not guarantee that you can look up the number on your phone, so it is a good idea to know the number of your lawyer by heart. If you do not have the contact details of a lawyer, officers should provide you with a list of lawyers on duty and give you the opportunity to contact the lawyer of your choice.
TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION AND TO REFUSE TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION
You have the right to speak about the circumstances surrounding your arrest, as well as the right to refuse to make statements. Remember that an officer does not have the right to force you to give an explanation.
INFORMING A CLOSE PERSON ABOUT DETENTION
Immediately after your detention, you can request that your loved ones (including your employer, a representative of your school, university, your commanding officer - if you are a soldier, the manager of your company - if you are an entrepreneur, or any other person you indicate) be informed of your detention. In this situation, the regulations do not guarantee that you will be able to look up the number in your phone either, so it is a good idea to know the number to your loved one by heart.
FREE ASSISTANCE OF AN INTERPRETER AND CONTACT WITH THE CONSULAR POST
If you are a foreigner and do not speak Polish, you have the right to be assisted by an interpreter. At your request, officers must also allow you to contact the relevant consular post or diplomatic representation.
RECEIVE A COPY OF THE DETENTION REPORT
Officers will provide you with a copy of the detention report which contains the circumstances of the detention, including the details of the police officer.
ACCESS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Remember that in case of any harm to your health, you have the right to first aid.
MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT YOUR DETENTION
If you do not agree with the reason for your detention, you can make a complaint to the court.
If the detention is found to be unfounded or illegal, the court will order your immediate release and notify the public prosecutor and the authority superior to the authority that made the detention.