The Crown Court deals with the most serious criminal offences, as well as some cases sent up from the Magistrates’ Court for trial or sentencing. Cases here are usually heard before a judge and a jury, and the possible outcomes are more serious than at the Magistrates’ Court. Brockbanks Solicitors will explain in plain English why your case is being dealt with at the Crown Court and what to expect at each stage.

A duty solicitor is a qualified solicitor who can advise and represent you at the police station, usually around the time of arrest or a voluntary interview. They are there to protect your interests, make sure your rights are respected, and advise you before and during questioning. Brockbanks Solicitors can be by your side at the police station so you don’t have to face the process on your own.

Legal aid is public funding that can help cover the cost of legal representation in certain criminal cases. It exists so that people can get proper representation when they need it, regardless of their means. Brockbanks Solicitors can explain how legal aid works in plain English and check whether it could apply to your case.

The Magistrates’ Court is where most criminal cases begin, and many are dealt with there from start to finish. Cases are usually heard by magistrates or a district judge rather than a jury, and the court will expect things to move forward at the first hearing. Brockbanks Solicitors will explain what to expect on the day and make sure you go in prepared rather than caught off guard.

To speak on your behalf in the Crown Court, an advocate needs Higher Rights of audience, which is a recognised qualification to represent clients in the higher courts. Brockbanks Solicitors has criminal solicitors who hold Higher Rights, so the same team can prepare your case and represent you at trial or sentencing. That continuity means the person who knows your case best is the one standing up for you in court.

Everyone held for questioning at a police station has the right to free, independent legal advice, and you can ask for it at any point. Taking up that right does not delay your case and is one of the most important protections you have. Just ask the police for Brockbanks Solicitors as soon as you get the chance, and our team will respond as quickly as possible.

Legal aid is not always free, and not everyone qualifies for it. Depending on the case and your circumstances, you may be asked to contribute towards the cost, or you may not qualify at all. Brockbanks Solicitors will be upfront with you about what legal aid does and doesn’t cover, so you know where you stand from the start.

You are allowed to represent yourself, but even seemingly minor offences can carry serious penalties, and the process can be hard to navigate without help. A solicitor makes sure you understand the charge, your options, and the likely consequences before you say anything to the court. Brockbanks Solicitors provides a complete service, preparing your case and representing you so you’re not facing it alone.

If you decide to plead guilty, the court moves to sentencing rather than a trial, and there is still a great deal that can be done to put your side across. We prepare and present mitigation on your behalf, which sets out the circumstances the court should take into account before deciding a sentence. Brockbanks Solicitors will talk you through your options carefully so the decision you make is fully informed and right for you.

It’s natural to think you don’t need help if you know you’re innocent, but a police interview can have a real bearing on what happens next, whatever the outcome. A duty solicitor makes sure you understand the questions, your rights, and the evidence, so nothing is said or done that could be misunderstood. Brockbanks Solicitors is here to make sure you are treated fairly from the very start.