If you’ve been accused of a criminal offence, you will no doubt be feeling overwhelmed and extremely worried about what the future holds for you. If charges haven’t been brought against you yet and you believe you will need to go into the police station for questioning, then it is highly advisable to get the support of a criminal solicitor from the earliest possible stage. This is because getting the support of a solicitor can make the difference between whether or not any charges are brought against you. They will be able to advise you upon how to answer questions and ensure that the questions you are asked by the police are fair and within the law. What’s more, they can also check that procedures have been and are being followed correctly, while you are at the police station. Again, this could make the difference between whether or not you are charged.
If you have already been charged with a criminal offence, it is vital that you have legal representation to build a strong defence case and to represent you in any magistrates’ court, where all criminal cases will first go for your plea to be entered. Some cases will be heard in the magistrates’ court as well, and a solicitor will represent you. If it is more serious, it will go to the Crown Court and your solicitor will work with your barrister to provide them with the information they require as the case is in progress.
What types of crime can a solicitor help with?
There are many areas of criminal law. Some of the main areas that they deal with are murder and manslaughter, terrorism, serious drugs offences, money laundering, violent crimes, cash seizure and forfeiture, and modern slavery. Whatever your situation, getting the support of a solicitor from the earliest possible moment is crucial. Some solicitors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support in the police station, as you could be questioned at any time by them. Some solicitors are also available to support you no matter where you are in the UK, so make sure you do some research online to check their websites for availability. You may also want to choose a law firm that has been established for a long time and has endorsements from groups such as Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
What will a solicitor do?
Aside from supporting you during questioning at the police station, where they may be able to affect whether or not you are charged with an offence, a solicitor can also gather evidence for your defence to strengthen your version of events. If you have been charged, they should start immediately on gathering expert witnesses, interviewing witnesses who could be questioned during your trial, as well as finding other evidence such as forensic or CCTV footage. A solicitor’s intervention should ensure that your defence is robust and will bring about the best possible outcome for your specific case. They can also provide a very reassuring presence for you as they keep you updated on where the case stands and they are able to answer questions you have at any stage of the process so that you feel fully informed at all times, keeping you as calm as possible. So, if you need a solicitor and haven’t got one yet, now is the time to find one. Don’t delay!
