Custody clock

Work out the actual milestone times from when detention began, rather than counting hours in your head under pressure.

When did detention begin?

Normally your arrival at the police station (the “relevant time”), not the moment of arrest.

JavaScript is off, so this tool cannot do the date arithmetic for you. Add the hours below to the time detention began by hand.

England & Wales

24 hours — the default maximum without charge (Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.41(1)).
36 hours — a superintendent (or above) can authorise this for an indictable offence.
96 hours — beyond 36 hours needs a magistrates’ court warrant.

Scotland

12 hours — initial period of custody. Not individually quoted here — see Arrest and custody in Scotland for the law, quoted.