If you are subject to a police investigation, you may find that the matter is concluded by way of NFA, No Further Action.
Essentially, this means that the police have investigated the allegation/s made against you and decided not to take further action at this stage.
The police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) may make this decision if they feel there is insufficient evidence to charge you with an offence or that it would not be in the public interest to take the matter any further.
But does this really mean it is the end of the matter?
Understanding NFAs Issued By Police
If police issue a No Further Action, it indicates that after investigating the allegations against you, the force has decided not to pursue the case any further at this time.
This decision is typically made when:
- There is insufficient evidence, or the evidence available does not meet the threshold for the prosecution to charge the individual.
- The key witnesses may be unwilling or unhappy to testify or
- In some cases, the police, or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) may decide that pursuing the case is not in the public interest.
However, it is crucial to understand that this does not necessarily mean the case is permanently closed.
Essentially, it means they are not taking any more steps in the investigation for now.
Can Police Reverse A No Further Action?
The short answer to this is 'Yes'!
Where the police have concluded an investigation with No Further Action, this does not prohibit them from restarting it later should new evidence come to light.
Thus, the police or the CPS can reconsider an NFA decision and restart the investigation if:
- New evidence comes to light that allegedly involves you
- They reviewed the old evidence, leading to new connections that implicate you
- If there were procedural errors in the initial investigation, which could involve mishandling of evidence
- Significant public interest or pressure
- CPS may advise the police to reconsider the case based on a new interpretation of the law.
What Should You Do After an NFA Decision?
It is essential to remember that NFA does not mean the end of the road so that you can plan your next step.
Waiting to hear from the police again about an investigation can be very traumatic, even when you know that you are entirely innocent.
Often, we feel better when we know we are taking some positive action.
So, what can you do?
The mere fact that you were arrested on suspicion of a criminal offence will have left a mark on your record.
You can read more about this and how, with help from our lawyers' expertise in record deletion, you can take positive action to delete this arrest from your record.
If you need help with a criminal investigation, please do not hesitate to contact our expert criminal lawyers.
Understanding the implications of an NFA decision and knowing your options can help you better navigate the aftermath of a police investigation.
Contact our expert criminal lawyers today for more detailed guidance and legal assistance.
If you would like to speak to our expert legal team about this, or any related subject then please contact our team by phone on 0207 936 6329, Email or by completing our Quick Contact Form below.