Signing police papers

Attendance register book

When you are released from a police station you will be asked to sign the attendance register book. By signing the book you are agreeing that the police have:

  • not taken anything from you
  • treated you reasonably.

You do not have to sign the attendance register book if you do not want to.

Undertaking of bail

When the police charge and release you on bail you must sign a form called an undertaking of bail before you can go home.

This undertaking says you promise to go to court on a specific date and agree with any other bail conditions. See ‘Being arrested’ (link below) for more information about bail.

Statement

A statement is a written account of what you say to the police about events. Get legal advice before making a statement to the police.

If you have made a statement to the police they will ask you to sign it. Read the statement carefully. If you disagree with any part of it, you can change the statement before you sign it.

Do not sign the statement unless you agree with everything in it. You can be charged with signing a false statement.

More information

Being arrested

Being questioned

Related publications

Your rights: police powers in Victoria

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA’s other free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • advice at many correctional facilities, remand and detention centres
  • lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.

For some criminal law matters we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

Your local community legal centre (CLC) can give you legal information and advice. Most CLC services are free. See the Community Law website for more information and CLC contact details.