Police Station, Courts & Bail
POLICE STATION
Have you been asked to come to the police station on a voluntary basis?
Do you require legal representation for a police interview?
Have you already been arrested and need advice?
Are you already on bail and need to build your defence case?
CALL NOW for a free consultation.
There's no obligation and you will receive free impartial expert advice.
It is your life and liberty at stake – well worth a second opinion. A case can be made or broken at the police station. It is vital you have professional representation from a lawyer who is experienced in advocacy issues in crown court issues; a lawyer who is fully aware of when and how a case is won and lost at the crown court.
ALWAYS CHOOSE TO BE LEGALLY REPRESENTED
IT IS YOUR LEGAL RIGHT.
The police will NOT think you are guilty because you have a solicitor. In fact, they will be happy to arrange for a solicitor to attend.
Your stay at the police station will NOT be delayed by asking for legal representation. The police will call us well in advance of when we are required to attend and we WILL ATTEND as soon as practicable.
Contact us as early as possible in the legal process to speak to one of our specialist criminal defence solicitors.
MAGISTRATES AND CROWN COURT REPRESENTATION
Magistrate Court
If you have been charged by the police with a criminal offence or received a postal requisition/court summons through the post, contact us immediately.
We will advise you on the next steps and fully prepare you for the hearing.
Attending court can be a nerve-wracking experience for most individuals, but do not worry, we are here to represent you throughout the entire process.
Remember, you are not alone we will be there.
Every criminal case once charged, begins in the Magistrates Court and the more serious cases are then sent to the Crown Court.
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We will ensure that you are kept fully informed throughout the process so you are assured and confident.
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We represent you right from your first hearings through to trials and sentencing
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We advise on all mitigation and mediation hearings.
Crown Court
More serious offences are dealt with before the Crown Court, such as cases of murder, drugs importation, supplying class A drugs and serious fraud.
We will represent you and thoroughly prepare your case at all the hearings in the Crown Court. A counsel/barrister/Kings Counsel will be instructed on your behalf, with suitable seniority and experience to ensure highest level of expert representation in your case.
The process involves carefully considering and assessing all the prosecution evidence that they seek to rely upon such as the witness statements, exhibits, forensics and expert reports. We will also examine and assess the unused material and ensure we demand all the materials that we need to test the prosecution evidence for admissibility and relevance.
We will attend on all our clients to obtain detailed instructions on the evidence to prepare the defence. We will advise as to plea and prepare mitigation and advise you on the likely sentencing as per the sentencing guidelines.
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We have a vast network of senior barristers with decades of experience carefully selected on merit and successes in high-profile cases.
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We will ensure detailed defence preparation using our vast resources and access to experts in every area.
We will investigate and research all possible avenues and lines of defence.
BAIL
There is a presumption of bail as a starting point, that is the defendant should be granted bail if not convicted or where there is no prospect for a custodial sentence.
The prosecution may object to bail if one or more of these grounds exist or they believe the defendant will:
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Fail to appear at court to answer bail
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That the defendant will commit offences whilst on bail
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That there is a risk that the defendant will interfere with evidence/prosecution witnesses
1st ground - reason for bail objection: Failing to appear at court
The following factors are considered, when deciding whether a defendant applying for bail is likely to return to answer bail, and whether any conditions would be necessary:
Record of previous convictions i.e., whether there has been a history of failing to attend. If there is a demonstrative history of failing to answer bail, then we will need to persuade the court with explanations surrounding those occasions and reasons why on this occasion they will answer bail.
Whether the defendant has ties to the community, for example, such as children, family, existing and pressing commitments, employment and care arrangements. These will demonstrate to the court that the defendant will not be a flight risk and has compelling reasons not to abscond.
Seriousness of the offence, and strength of the evidence, the prosecution or the court may assert that the evidence is so strong, that the resulting fear of lengthy prison sentence, will mean that the defendant will not turn up to court. We will argue that the offences are denied and highlight any weaknesses in the prosecution case and the fact that defendant will have a trial in due course and have his day in court to prove his innocence.
2nd ground - Offences on bail. A court will be unlikely to give bail where there is a recent history of offending whilst on bail for other offences.
3rd ground - Interference with witnesses, the prosecution can object to bail on the grounds that keeping the defendant in prison will prevent them from interfering with the prosecution witnesses, i.e. to stop them giving evidence in the trial. The circumstances in which they are more likely to prevent bail if the defendant knows or has contact with the witnesses. We will need to submit conditions and compelling reasons why this will not occur.
Bail conditions.
Some defendants will be granted unconditional bail i.e., they have been granted bail without any conditions. In some circumstances, the court may only grant bail with conditions. Bail conditions are imposed or offered to ally any risks or concerns the court or prosecution may have in relation to the bail objections. Conditions include the following:
Curfew / residence requirement
The condition that the defendant must live at a certain address at must be at the address at the hours such as 9pm to 6 am, usually an address not in close proximity to the alleged victim in the case. This condition is usually imposed whereby the court may be concerned that the defendant may:
1. Abscond and not turn up at court. The known address will mean the police can attend and knock at the door requesting the defendant to present himself.
2. Interfere with prosecution witnesses. A bail address located whereby it reduces the risk of a chance encounter with the witnesses or victim.
3. Fear that a defendant may commit further offences while on bail. A bail address away from the attack or offence locations.
Reporting requirement -This requires the defendant to have to report to a police station once or more times per week. This means that the police will be aware if a person disappears or absconds and know where he will be should the need arise.
Surety / Security - These are financial assurances made to the court usually by family members of the defendant, to guarantee their attendance at court whilst on bail.
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Security is money paid into court before the defendant is allowed out on bail. This must be paid into court.
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Surety is money promised to the court by third parties (e.g. family members) and is only paid if the defendant does not answer bail or turn up to court. It may take the form of money in a bank account or other assets such as equity in a property.
Conditions of non-contact with witnesses are offered to allay any concerns the court may have. This is where the alleged victim has been attacked, or where there may be a risk of any interference with witnesses.
Rest Assured – we will professionally prepare a robust bail application covering all objections to ensure the best possible outcome.
Remember bail is not guaranteed, for any serious offences.
Our bail applications will be meticulously prepared with care at the highest standard.
Always seek professional legal advice, Contact us today.