Providing Advice on Criminal Allegations

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If you have been accused of a criminal allegation, before you speak to the police or any other investigator, you should always first speak to a lawyer. The best advice is always to say nothing to the police until you have received competent legal advice from a criminal defence specialist. Even if you know you are innocent, and can prove it, anything you say at the early stages of case can have a major impact later on if you are charged.

Most criminal allegations will start with an investigation by the police. Some allegations may be investigated by other government bodies such as a local council, the MHRA, the FCA or SFO. Regardless as to whether you believe the case against you is weak, the best advice is always to ensure your rights are protected by instructing an expert criminal defence solicitor. A criminal solicitor will be able to advise you whether you should answer questions, say no-comment, or provide a prepared statement.

Arrest and Detention

If you are being detained by the police an expert criminal solicitor will be able to make representations for your earliest release. Your solicitor will also be able to advise you whether you should comply with searches, and will assist you with identification procedures, if identity is an issue in your case.

Once a case has been investigated by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will usually be asked to review the evidence. A criminal solicitor can be essential at this stage, pointing out the weakness in the evidence, with a view to have a prosecution dropped, or caution or community resolution issued.

If someone is charged or summoned to Court, their first stop will be at the Magistrates Court. A criminal defence solicitor will be able to advise a suspect whether their case will be sent to the Crown Court, whether they should elect a Crown Court trial, or opt to keep their case in the Magistrates Court.

Usually only the most serious criminal allegations will end up in the Crown Court, although relatively minor allegations can also be prosecuted before a judge and judge if suspect elects a Crown Court trial. A criminal solicitor will usually instruct a criminal defence barrister , or solicitor advocate, to represent a client in the Crown Court.

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Criminal Solicitors Advice for any Criminal Defence Case

Criminal Defence Solicitor Advice
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Decisive Criminal Defence Advice

If your loved one is being detained by the police you can ask a criminal solicitor to attend on their behalf

Legal Aid

Depending on your case and your income, you may be eligible for legal aid. If the criminal allegation is very serious and complex, paying privately can be very costly ,and so legal aid may be an option. You may also want to pay privately even if your case is minor to ensure your lawyer gives your case their full attention.

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Youth Court

If a suspect is aged between 10 -17 then generally their case will be heard before the Youth Court. If the allegation is considered to be a “Grave Crime” they will often be transferred to the Crown Court to be heard. If the allegation is minor the Youth Court will often deal with the case by way of a referral order, Youth rehabilitation order, or a Detention and Training Order for more serious criminal offences.

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Criminal Appeals

If you have been convicted and you feel the decision was unfair, you will have a right to appeal. From the Magistrates Court you can appeal your conviction to the Crown Court. If you were convicted at the Crown Court, you can appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeals. There are specified deadlines and grounds for launching an appeal so you should speak with an expert criminal solicitor before lodging an appeal. 

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Criminal Defence Advice

Criminal Solicitors for any Criminal Case

If you have been accused of a crime, you should always seek advice from an expert criminal solicitor before saying anything to the police.

Even if you think you have an innocent explanation for an allegation that has been made against you, the police may be withholding evidence from you, and you may unwittingly provide them with information that harms your interests.

An experienced criminal defence solicitor will not only know the law that applies to your case, they will often be familiar with the officers dealing with your case, and so will have a legal, tactical and psychological advantage when advising you. Also, when you have been accused of a crime it can be difficult to remain objective, and so an experienced and expert solicitor will bring a sense of calm and perspective when advising you on your best options.

Even if you think it is in your best interests to speak with the police, it may actually be better to say noting at all.