interview under caution

noun

A formal interview of a suspect by the police as part of a criminal investigation, for which the suspect is entitled to legal representation. Used to determine whether or not to prosecute the suspect, and most commonly conducted following arrest, though sometimes in other circumstances.

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Meanings

nouninterview under caution (plural interviews under caution)

plural interviews under caution

  1. EnglandWalesformalcriminal lawgovernmentA formal interview of a suspect by the police as part of a criminal investigation, for which the suspect is entitled to legal representation. Used to determine whether or not to prosecute the suspect, and most commonly conducted following arrest, though sometimes in other circumstances.

Origin

From the mandatory caution given by the police to the suspect at the beginning of such interviews: “You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”.

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Cite this entry
APA

interview under caution. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interview%20under%20caution

MLA

“interview under caution.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interview%20under%20caution. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “interview under caution,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interview%20under%20caution.

Source: interview under caution on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.