If you have been charged with a criminal offence in the UK, it is important to understand what happens next. The process can be complex and daunting, but having a criminal solicitor on your side can make a big difference.
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What do criminal solicitors do?
Criminal solicitors can do a wide range of things to help you. Firstly, they can advise you on your rights and options. They will be able to explain the charges against you and the possible penalties. They will also be able to advise you on your best course of action. If you go to court, your solicitor will represent you and argue your case if it stays in the Magistrates’ Court. However, if you are charged with a more serious crime, they will support your case by helping the work of the barristers and KCs in the Crown Court. Solicitors can also negotiate with the prosecution. In some cases, your criminal solicitor may be able to negotiate a plea deal, which could involve pleading guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. If you are convicted of a crime, your solicitor may also be able to appeal the conviction. This means asking a higher court to review the case and consider whether there were any errors in the lower court’s decision.
Do I really need a solicitor?
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, it is important to have a solicitor on your side. The sooner you seek the support of a solicitor, the better the outcome of your case could be. As soon as you know you are being investigated, it is best to call a solicitor for their professional support and guidance.
What happens when you’ve been arrested by the police?
If you are arrested by the police, you have the right to remain silent. You should not say anything to the police without first speaking to a solicitor. The police will ask you questions about the alleged offence. You do not have to answer these questions. You can simply say, “I’m not prepared to answer any questions without speaking to a solicitor.” The police may take your fingerprints, DNA, and photographs. You do not have to consent to this. You can simply say, “I’m not prepared to provide any samples without speaking to a solicitor.” The police may ask you to sign a statement. You do not have to sign anything without first speaking to a solicitor.
What happens after you’ve been charged with a crime?
Once you have been charged with a crime, you will be given a police caution or a charge sheet. A police caution is a formal warning that you have been involved in criminal activity. A charge sheet is a document that sets out the charges against you. You will then be asked to attend a police station for an interview. You have the right to have a solicitor present at the interview.
After the interview, the police will decide whether to release you on bail or to keep you in custody. If you are released on bail, you will be given conditions that you must follow, such as reporting to the police regularly or not contacting certain people.
If you are kept in custody, you will be taken to a prison. You will then be brought before a court for a bail hearing. At the bail hearing, the court will decide whether to release you on bail or to keep you in custody. If you are released on bail, you will be given a date to appear in court for your trial. If you are kept in custody, you will remain in prison until your trial.
So, if you are being questioned about a crime, or you have been charged, do not hesitate, get a solicitor as soon as possible to get the best outcome for your case.
