Defence lawyers

Criminal defence lawyers are lawyers who specialise in defending people accused of a criminal offence. When a person is initially arrested by the police, the accused will have a right to free legal advice. This means that the police will phone the service responsible for allocating representation and they will decide whether it is appropriate to provide the accused with a criminal defence lawyer.

For minor crimes with no risk of incarceration, such as minor motoring offences, it is highly unlikely that the duty solicitor will be required to attend. If the accused would like the services of a criminal defence solicitor in these circumstances, they will need to pay privately to have one attend.

If the accused does qualify for a duty solicitor to attend, the solicitor will contact the accused at the police station. The duty solicitor will notify the accused that they will attend when the police are ready to interview the accused about the alleged offence. Criminal defence lawyers play an important role at the police station, ensuring that the police do not breach any laws or codes when obtaining evidence from defendants.

Criminal defence lawyers usually represent defendants at the magistrates’ court. If the case then proceeds to the Crown Court, it is likely that that a barrister will be instructed to perform advocacy on behalf of the defendant, although the defence solicitor will still be in attendance and will be required to take notes and assist counsel.

If you would like to obtain legal advice on criminal law, Contact Law can put you in touch with a specialist criminal defence lawyers free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding criminal defence lawyers please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.

Last Updated on 02/03/2010