We understand how distressing it is to be accused of a crime and that it may feel as though your world has been turned upside-down. But we’re here to help.
Our firm is founded on a simple belief: everyone deserves the best quality legal representation when accused of a criminal offence. We treat each client as an individual and put one hundred percent effort into every case, no matter what the allegation, because we appreciate the importance to you. We will do our level best to maintain continuity of representation from beginning to end, to make sure as far as possible that you deal with the same person. This allows us to establish a rapport that will put you at ease as quickly as possible
Police station
We offer representation at the police station free of charge to anyone who has been arrested or is attending a police station as a volunteer.
We operate a 24 hour emergency service for anyone involved in the process. Whether it’s you being questioned, or one of your family or friends, feel free to contact us any time of the night or day.
We are used to travelling to police stations up and down the country and pride ourselves in going the distance for our clients. No matter where you find yourself in custody, we will make sure you receive quality representation.
We know from experience that getting the right advice at the police station is crucial to getting the best end-result for your case. Our priority will always be to bring your case to an end as soon as possible. We are often able to achieve this even before you have left the police station. We ensure we remain focussed, so you do not spend more time than you have to in custody – which we understand can feel extremely oppressive.
We will obtain information about the allegation(s) against you in a timely manner, take your instructions and thoroughly analyse the material in front of us before providing you with expert advice. This may be to answer questions, or to say nothing (sometimes called a “no comment” interview), but we know that no two cases are the same so will never presuppose what that advice will be. We tailor our advice to each individual case but with the same end-goal: to obtain the very best result for you.
You can have peace of mind knowing that every representative carrying out this work has been trained to the highest standard and holds a specialist Police Station Accreditation qualification. Add to that the years of experience behind each one and you know you’re in safe hands.
We have dealt with thousands of cases, from the most serious offences such as murder, drug importation, GBH, armed robbery and complex fraud, down to the everyday shoplifting and common assault. However, we never trivialise any case. We understand how much it matters to you.
The number to call at any time is 0333 200 8581. Alternatively, please get in touch Via email info@smartcriminaldefence.com
Magistrates court
All cases, whether they begin by charge or summons, start life in the magistrates’ court. Indeed, the majority of cases end there too.
Our team has years of experience of working in the unique, fast-moving magistrates’ court environment. Through experience we have honed the skills necessary to provide you with the best representation possible. These include quick-thinking, being deeply analytical, and able to apply up‑to‑date and relevant law and procedure to each case.
You can guarantee that as well as bringing all of the above qualities to your case, your representative will present robust and persuasive arguments to the tribunal in court – always working hard to obtain the best outcome for you.
Magistrates’ court trials demand a particularly broad set of skills, which each of our advocates have ably demonstrated they possess. Firstly, each case will be prepared meticulously, to give each client the best chance of success. Then, in the courtroom itself, you can expect each witness to be expertly questioned and your advocate to close your case with a compelling argument, proficiently tailored to the evidence that has unfolded throughout the trial.
For help and advice about a magistrates’ court matter please get in touch using our contact us Via email info@smartcriminaldefence.com or call us on 0333 200 8581.
Crown court
More serious and complex cases are dealt with in the Crown court. At Smart Criminal Defence we have years of experience of dealing with such cases and obtaining outstanding results for our clients.
We recognise the added pressure on clients whose cases are heard in the Crown court, not just because of the increased formality in this court but because of the higher penalties available to Crown court judges. In short, there is more at stake, and we are sympathetic to this fact.
For these reasons, we insist on preparing each and every Crown court case meticulously, exploring every potential avenue that may assist our clients. Also, we have very close links to London-based barristers, with whom we have worked closely for years. We will hand-pick our barristers to ensure they are a perfect match for your case as we are acutely aware of their particular skill sets. We recognise also that equally important is matching the barrister’s personality with your own. Therefore, we will arrange for you to meet your barrister early on in your case to ensure you are completely happy with your Crown court advocate.
Often it is necessary to instruct other experts to ensure your case is fully prepared. These include psychiatrists, psychologists, firearms and handwriting experts to name just a few. As with the barristers, we have a keen knowledge of those that truly excel in their specialist field. This means you can be sure that only the very best will be instructed on your case.
For help and advice about a Crown court matter please get in touch Via email info@smartcriminaldefence.com or call us on 0333 200 8581.
Appeals
If you have been convicted of a crime you didn’t do or received a sentence that you feel you didn’t deserve then you will feel your world has been turned upside down and that the justice system hasn’t worked for you. In these situations, it may be possible to appeal your conviction or your sentence.
How and when an appeal is lodged depends on where your case was heard. If it was at the Magistrates court then this must be done within 21 days of your conviction or sentencing and will be heard at the Crown Court. It is an automatic right to have an appeal and in effect, the hearing at the Crown Court will be a rerun of the trial or sentencing which will give the chance of a different outcome.
If the matter was at the Crown Court then the appeal must be lodged within 28 days of your conviction or sentencing but there is no automatic right to appeal and there must first be grounds submitted to the Court of Appeal. This usually is based on there being an error in law or procedure during your original case or perhaps new evidence coming to light. It cannot just be because you disagree with the result in your case. Only if the court of appeal feel there are grounds for an appal will your case go before the full court for a hearing.
There are of course potential consequences of appealing convictions and sentences which can include higher sentences and costs and so it is important that you get proper advice on potentially appealing your case before embarking upon this process.
At Smart Criminal Defence we have years of experience dealing with all types of cases and so are in a strong position to review your case and advise on whether an appeal may be possible or not. We will also be able to speak to you about how such an appeal is funded and whether it is in your best interests to pursue an appeal or not.
If you wish to discuss an appeal then please contact us Via email info@smartcriminaldefence.com or call us on 0333 200 8581
Youth court
Smart Criminal Defence recognises the criminal justice system can be a bewildering place for any person under 18 to find themselves and we are truly sympathetic to that fact.
We recognise that the youth court is a highly specialised field. For this reason we ensure that we are fully up-to-date with the relevant law and procedure in this area in order to provide the highest standard of representation to our clients. We are always mindful of the fact that any conviction may severely hinder a young person’s life when they become an adult, which is why we insist on providing a robust defence to every youth with whom we deal.
We will always deal with key issues promptly such as:
- Organising an Appropriate Adult
- Considering any need for an intermediary
- Obtaining third party assessments
- Obtaining references and/or reports
- Liaising with relevant multi-disciplinary agencies
We recognise that parents, guardians or other adults with an interest in the young person’s life may also be feeling the strain associated with the youth court process. We take the time to explain the entire procedure to all interested parties and answer any questions they might have. We strongly believe that knowledge goes a long way to relieving stress, and it always helps the young person if others around them are in position to reinforce any points we may have discussed.
Should you or anyone close to you need advice regarding a young person in the criminal justice system, please get in touch Via email info@smartcriminaldefence.com or call us on 0333 200 8581.