Criminal Law Guide

At Knightsbridge Solicitors, our focus is on making your case simple, cost-effective, and smooth with our expert legal services.

To help you, we have put together this comprehensive criminal law guide to support you through all our criminal defence procedures.

I am anxious that I am in trouble with the police, what should I do?

We understand that this can be an extremely worrying time, especially if you have not experienced contact with the police before.

The process and jargon can be overwhelming, and the right course of action can be unclear without expert advice and guidance.

If you are currently in police custody, you are entitled to call for legal help and can reach us on 07900 557 700. You can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are not currently in a police station, please call our central line on 0115 824 1700. We will be able to talk you through the process and allay your fears.

How do I choose an excellent criminal defence solicitor?

Knowing who to pick when you are facing a criminal defence case can be tough. What you need is someone with experience and expertise at a rate you can afford.

At Knightsbridge Solicitors, our team of expert criminal defence solicitors have extensive experience handling a wide range of cases including fraud defence, robbery, murder and even terrorism.

Knowing you have an expert in your corner will give you the peace of mind and confidence you need to get the best possible outcome.

It is not me who is in trouble with the police, it is my relative or friend, can you still help me?

Ultimately, we need to deal directly with the accused, but we can listen to you and take third-party instructions where appropriate. You can also choose to pay for their fees through an arrangement with Knightsbridge Solicitors if you wish to offer financial help.

English is not my first language – Can you help?

Yes. Knightsbridge Solicitors are specialists in criminal defence and immigration law and our team of legal experts includes many translators and multilingual solicitors.

We will always do our best to overcome language barriers and help you.

What is an interview under caution? Do I have to attend?

We recommend contacting us for legal advice and assistance at your earliest convenience on 0115 824 1700 so that we can help you make the right decisions on how to proceed.

Can you represent me at the police station?

We are available to help the minute you need criminal defence solicitors. Therefore, you can seek our help from the police station by calling our dedicated police station advice line on 07900 55 77 00 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What types of criminal cases are you experienced in?

We have a strong, experienced team with a wide range of skills and expertise across all types of criminal defence.

We can provide criminal defence lawyers for fraud defence; motoring defence; terrorism defence; money laundering; benefits, DWP and HMRC prosecutions; murder and manslaughter; robbery; petty crime, rape and sexual offences; drug prosecutions; firearms offences; and all other manners of criminal defence law.

Where do you work?

Our offices are located in Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester but we operate throughout England and Wales and attend court in all regions.

How do you decide which solicitor takes on my criminal defence case?

Fortunately, we have a team of legal experts with a wide range of specialist experience across different criminal defence disciplines. This means that we can match you with the criminal defence solicitor best suited to your individual case, whatever your needs.

How do I contact my criminal defence solicitor?

Once you have been assigned a criminal defence solicitor from our team, we will give you their contact details so you can talk to them directly. Where possible, we try to deal with queries within working hours, but we will do our best to discuss your case whenever you need.

Criminal defence is not a 9-5 job and our solicitors will do their best to meet your needs at any hour.

If I have been charged with a serious offence will you or I choose my barrister?

We work in close partnership with a wide range of highly skilled and experienced barristers, specialising in all aspects of criminal law. If you need a barrister, we will work with you to identify the best option for your needs.

How much will my criminal defence cost me?

Unfortunately, there are no ‘set’ costs for criminal defence cases. We understand that it is important to have a clear understanding of the likely costs of your case, but costs depend on a variety of factors, like the duration and complexity of the case, whether it goes to court, etc.

To find out more about the potential costs of your case, contact a member of our team by calling us on 0115 824 170 today.

Am I entitled to Legal Aid for my criminal defence case?

Access to Legal Aid is no longer as universal and as accessible as it once was. There are some cases where Legal Aid may apply, but it varies greatly.

To see if you will be entitled to Legal Aid, call us on 0115 824 1700 and one of our team will be happy to advise you.

Can I change solicitors during my case?

You have the right to choose the best criminal defence solicitor for you and to change solicitors during the process of your case, though we do not recommend it.

By changing solicitors during your case, you can interrupt the work that the previous solicitor was doing, leaving your replacement to pick up the pieces.

Continuity and consistency can be key to getting the best result for your case in the timeframe dictated by the courts, so we only advise changing solicitors when necessary.

If for any reason you wish to change from your existing Knightsbridge solicitor, please get in touch so we can refer you to a legal expert that will be familiar with your case.