Criminal Law

Why choose us?

• We provide advice and representation in all aspects of criminal defence from the outset of criminal proceedings. We also act for individuals who require additional funding through legal aid.

• We work hard to ensure that our clients are fully informed about the relevant law and the choices they have at every stage of the criminal process.

• If you are not eligible for legal aid, we can instead offer you a fixed fee so that you are kept informed about our costs from the outset.

• Our team has over 25 years of experience in representing clients in criminal investigations and proceedings, from police station representation to Youth Court, Magistrates Court, right through to the Court of Appeal. Our accredited Police Station Representatives advise and represent clients in the police station, providing robust representation for suspects. In addition, our team has particular expertise in motoring law and are also highly experienced in Military Law,  representing military personnel in military criminal investigations and providing bespoke representation before court martials.

What we do

At the Police Station

If you have been arrested or approached by a police officer in respect of a voluntary interview, you are entitled to free and independent legal advice at a Police Station. Voluntary interviews are often used as a way of questioning suspects to avoid the need to arrest.  These can often be arranged around work or other commitments, and we are able to attend with you at the prearranged time.

We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide local legal aid and protect your legal rights whilst being questioned by the police.

Our 24 hour contact number is 0796 705 4950.

We also provide representation for those clients being pursued by private prosecuting bodies. This includes the Health and Safety Executive, Trading Standards, Environmental Agency, the RSPCA or Local Councils.

At Court

We offer the highest level of representation ranging from the Magistrates Court through to the Supreme Court. Our expertise ranges from regulatory driving offences, such as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol, to the most serious of allegations such as serious fraud, murder, rape and robbery.

We leave no stone unturned in the search for evidence to support our client’s case, and if appropriate, instruct leading experts to ensure the highest level of service. We have a proven track record in delivering first-class results.

Driving offences

Our specialist motoring lawyers are dedicated to retaining both your liberty and your driving licence following a range of offences including dangerous driving, insurance offences and notices of intended prosecutions.

We are also specialists in firearms licensing and offences.

Understanding Summary Hearings in relation to Driving offences before the Magistrates

Our Criminal Law specialists have represented thousands of clients in Magistrates Court hearings for summary driving offences. Such offences include drink or drug driving, failing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis, or being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of drink or drugs or careless driving.  Less serious offences could be using a motorcycle without protective headgear, using a vehicle with no seatbelt or other similar construction and other offences relating to motor vehicles.

What we do

Once we have taken your full instructions upon the case, we will guide you through the legal process, which will include:

• A consultation with your solicitor to advise on your instructions on what happened.
• An explanation of court procedure so you know exactly what is going to happen on the day of the hearing.
• Consideration of the evidence against you.
• A full legal analysis of your situation and advice on the sentencing options that are available to the court.

We will provide representation at a single court hearing, whether that be a court local to our firm or one which is further afield.

The steps and timescales set out below are those which apply to a matter that does not have particular complications.  If your matter does have such complications, we will always inform you immediately and will discuss the potential consequences both in respect of the chances of success and the potential costs.

Key Stages in the Case

It is important that you contact us as soon as you know you have a Court hearing or know you are going to be prosecuted. We are able to request from the prosecution a written copy of the case papers. These documents are usually available to the defence before the actual hearing date.

The sooner we are able to make a request the better chance we have of the prosecution sending the case papers to us in time for your hearing. We have no control as to when the prosecution will have the case papers ready to send to and it is not uncommon for case papers to be served on us the day before the hearing.

That is why we urge clients to make contact with us as soon as possible in order to give the Prosecution as much notice as possible that we are representing you and require sight of the case papers in order to advise you properly.

You may only be given a few weeks’ notice of a Court hearing so you must act fast in order to be ready and prepared for your Court hearing.