General Crime

Police Station Representation

Anyone facing investigation by the police (or by some other Government body such as HM Revenue and Customs or the Serious Organised Crime Agency) has a right to obtain legal representation. Facing an investigation can be a very stressful and, sometimes, lengthy experience. Having someone on your side who knows the system and who can provide early assistance with your defence will often be invaluable. In fact, it can often make the difference between a charge being brought and a decision to take no further action.

Anyone detained or interviewed at a police station is entitled to free and independent legal advice. The criminal defence team at Criminal Defence Line is comprised of Accredited Duty Solicitors and Police Station Advisers who each have almost daily experience of representing clients at the police station in relation to a wide variety of investigations.

Our police station team are on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Magistrates Court Representation

If you are charged with an offence your case will first be heard in the Magistrates Court, even if it later transfers to the Crown Court. The vast majority of minor offences are heard and concluded in the Magistrates Court.

Criminal Defence Line has a team of specialist advocates who practice in a variety of Magistrates Courts on a daily basis. They provide advice with regard to the strength of the prosecution evidence, whether to enter a guilty or a not guilty plea, the likely sentence if convicted and issues to be addressed in order to be successful at trial.

The Advocates at Criminal Defence Line also conduct trials in the Magistrates Court on a regular basis. This provides our clients with a level of consistency as the same lawyer will endeavour to retain conduct of a case from its early stages through to trial. This allows for better trial preparation and increased chances of success.

Most of Criminal Defence Line Advocates are also Duty Solicitors which means they provide defendants who have not already instructed a solicitor with advice and representation at court under the Court Duty Solicitor Scheme. This service is free of charge.

Crown Court Representation

Trial by jury remains a fundamental principle of our criminal justice system.

Some offences are deemed so serious that they may only be tried in the Crown Court.

Petty offences are only triable in the Magistrates Court. The majority of cases may be tried in the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court. Cases may be committed to the Crown Court because the Magistrates do not consider their powers to be sufficient. Even where the Magistrates are willing to hear a case, a defendant will still have the option to elect for a Crown Court trial. The decision whether to elect can be as important as the decision whether to plead guilty or not guilty. Informed legal advice on this issue is essential.

The defence team at Criminal Defence Line includes lawyers with higher rights of audience. This means that they have experience of representing clients before a judge and jury. We also have close links with barristers’ chambers nationwide. Some advocates are masters of jury persuasion, others have great experience in handling complex and time consuming cases and others have accumulated expertise in negotiating the best deal for their clients.

If your case is one which may proceed to the Crown Court then we will provide advice in relation to that decision and the procedures involved. We will also seek to instruct a higher rights advocate with the appropriate expertise for your case which will give you the best chance of success in the Crown Court.