Our Criminal Solicitors Promise
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Need legal advice now from a criminal solicitor in London or Brighton?
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The Criminal Law Experts
Our criminal law team promise:
- Unlimited time to discuss your case with an experienced criminal solicitor
- Expert knowledge of your legal position
- Proven track record and reputation
- Complete objectivity
Our criminal law services.
Driving Offences
Fraud
Money Laundering
Sexual Offences
Violent Crimes
Commonly asked questions on criminal law.
Criminal law is a broad and complex area of law with lasting implications, which is why our criminal solicitors in London and Brighton have answered some of the most commonly asked questions on the topic.
1. What is criminal law?
Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime and protecting the general public. It punishes conduct perceived as threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to people’s property, health, safety, and moral welfare.
If you are charged with a crime, you will be given a ‘charge sheet’. This charge sheet outlines the details of the crime you’re being charged with. Your first court hearing will be at the Magistrates’ Court. The Magistrates’ Court is for minor criminal defences such as minor criminal damage or speeding offences.
For more severe or complicated in the Magistrates’ Court, or you have requested a jury trial, your case will be referred to the Crown Court. If you plead not guilty in the Crown Court, the judge and 12 people (the jury) will hear your case and decide on your innocence after hearing all the evidence.
If you’re charged with a minor offence, your case could be decided without going to court (‘single justice procedure’). With single justice procedures, you must respond within 21 days.
2. Examples of criminal offences
Some common examples of offences that breach criminal law include:
- Driving offences (e.g. drunk driving or speeding)
- Criminal fraud
- Money laundering
- Violent crimes (e.g. assault, murder, criminal damage, domestic abuse)
Less common criminal offences include:
- Cybercrimes (e.g. hacking or DDoS attacks)
- Human trafficking
- Terrorism offences
- Hate crimes
Whatever your criminal matter case, our criminal solicitors can help. Please get in touch with us on 020 3007 5500.
3. How long do criminal defence cases take?
The timeframes for criminal cases depend on a variety of factors such as the severity of the crime and the strength of any evidence for and against the allegations.
Our criminal solicitors have found it takes on average six months for a case to reach the Magistrates’ Court and up to one year for a case to reach the Crown Court.
4. How much does a criminal defence case cost?
Given the scope of criminal law, it’s difficult to give an average cost for criminal defence cases. Multiple factors can impact the cost, including the severity of the case, the amount of evidence needed, and whether you’re looking to plead guilty or not guilty.
When facing criminal allegations, you will always need to arrange an initial consultation with one of our criminal solicitors. That way, our solicitors can give you a fee estimate for your matter once they understand the details of your case. The cost of our initial consultation is £200 plus VAT. For this price, our criminal solicitors guarantee the following:
- Unlimited time to discuss the details of your case and ask any questions.
- An overview of your legal standpoint and available options.
- Upfront time and fee estimate for your case.
To arrange your initial consultation, please call our criminal solicitors on 020 3007 5500.
5. Why do I need a criminal defence solicitor for my case?
If you get charged with a criminal offence, instructing a criminal solicitor will ensure you have the best possible defence for your case.
Instructing a criminal solicitor will ensure:
- You understand your position from a legal perspective.
- The best defence for your case.
- Clear legal advice on your options
- The correct statutory procedure is followed.
- Court representation from an experienced solicitor
- The best possible outcome for your case
To contact one of our criminal solicitors, please call us on 020 3007 5500.
Need legal advice now from a criminal defence solicitor in London or Brighton?
Tell us about your case and we’ll get back to you the same day.
Meet our expert criminal law team.
Paul Britton
Managing Director
Rojin Tasman
Associate
Adam Geele
Paralegal
Hanna Batkin
Paralegal
Jess Hynes
Paralegal
Why Britton and Time Solicitors?
Criminal law is our speciality, and our criminal solicitors in London and Brighton have worked on everything from speeding offences to violent crimes. For your criminal defence case, our solicitors will always guarantee:
Award-Winning Service.
You are our priority, and the law is our speciality. Our award-winning criminal solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly where you stand from a legal perspective so you can make a well-informed decision.
Full Billing Transparency.
No fee surprises. Ever. Our criminal solicitors in London and Brighton will inform you from the outset on how much your case will cost, and we will do everything in our power to keep costs down and within your original fee estimate.
Regular Communication.
With fortnightly updates on your case, you’ll never be left in the dark. Our criminal solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly how your case is progressing and are with you every step of the way.
Our reviews.
It’s not about how good we think our services are; it’s about what you think.
There are three things that make Britton & Time, and in particular Paul, stand apart from other law firms: knowledge, communication and a will to win.
Rated excellent by over 95% of our clients.
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Need legal advice now from a criminal solicitor in London or Brighton?
Call, email or provide us with a few details of your matter, and we’ll be able to help you the same day.