Do you always receive NFA notification?

[CountryBumpkin]

Hi all,

Have been skulking in the shadows for a few weeks now after coming across this forum. I got falsely accused back at the start of this year. Went for a voluntary interview with a duty solicitor present. They took my phone and that was it for a good 2 ish months when one of my friends told me they were coming to speak to them (I had given details of people that could help me clear my name). I got my phone back about a month after that. I haven’t heard anything since then. I know these things take time but is it normal to not hear anything at all for long periods of time? Do you always get notified of an NFA decision?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Casehardened]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

I have an idea that as it was a 'voluntary' interview (as opposed to an arrest and a 'lift' to the police station!) and on the assumption you weren't charged or bailed, that there is no formal process concluding with a NFA and you may well not hear anything else.

If you want to put your mind at rest and can remember who the duty solicitor was you could always ask them if they could enquire for you; alternatively if you can remember the OIC's name you could approach them directly.

[CountryBumpkin]

Just need to vent...

So I haven’t heard anything in around 7 months now. This nightmare has been going on for 9 months. I’ve had my phone back, my friends have been spoken to, but nothing has been said. I want to move on with my life but I can’t with this hanging over my head. Tried multiple times to contact the OIC but can’t get hold of them. I’m at a loss what to do...

[Peter1975]

So I haven’t heard anything in around 7 months now. This nightmare has been going on for 9 months. I’ve had my phone back, my friends have been spoken to, but nothing has been said. I want to move on with my life but I can’t with this hanging over my head. Tried multiple times to contact the OIC but can’t get hold of them. I’m at a loss what to do...

Have you tried your solicitor? Remember that they get paid precisely zilch after they have given you advice and assistance at the police station and will be busy with more pressing cases but they may be willing to liaise with the police on your behalf when they have got 5 minutes to send an email..

The police are not legally obliged to provide you with an update or give any details but common courtesy should prompt them into at least giving you a response.

If you have emailed the OIC, maybe try phoning, you can always ask to speak to a more senior officer at the particular unit that is dealing with your case.

9 Months is certainly an unbearably and unacceptably long time to wait but sadly, it is about average.

In answer to your question though, I can only dimly remember one or perhaps two cases in Scotland where a defendant simply heard nothing more. ( and I could be remembering wrong! ) I am 95% sure that you will hear something in due course but 9 months with no update is a disgrace.

Keep trying and please hang in there

[CountryBumpkin]

Finally!

So small update: I GOT MY NFA!!

I received an email from the OIC today saying that it has been written as an NFA.

I’d just like to say that if you’re going through this horrible process then just hang on in there! Your time will come and the truth will come out!

Thank you to everyone that has helped me through this most difficult time and what aN amazing forum this is!

[Casehardened]

Thanks for the update and am so pleased to be able to dish out the bananas though sorry it's taken so long!

[Franticwithworry]

I'm thrilled to be able to dish out bananas and that the forum was a help to you. Thank you for letting us know.

[Peter1975]

Fantastic news, thanks for letting us and future readers know.

Well done for hanging in there. I hope you can move on successfully with your life