Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitors represent clients at Police Stations, Crown Courts Appeal Courts (such as the Court of Appeal) and Magistrates’ Courts and can advise at any stage of a criminal charge.
Most cases begin at the Magistrates’ Court – including criminal cases – and it is vital to obtain expert legal representation at an early stage of any charge or investigation potentially involving a Magistrates’ Court hearing, to make sure that you are properly represented and understand your rights.
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise on any criminal charge, including motoring offences, benefit fraud, assault or at preliminary hearings in a Magistrates’ Court.
Charges such as those involving motoring offences are known as summary only cases and can only be dealt with at a Magistrates’ Court, where a lay magistrate or a District Judge will hear the case.
Other charges that may be dealt with at a Magistrates’ Court include less serious drugs offences, benefit fraud, assault, theft and domestic violence.
Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise on all criminal charges, from motoring offences to complex criminal cases involving serious crime or violent crime.
Serious crime and violent crimes involving drugs supply, fraud, murder and rape are indictable offences, which will most likely be sent to a Crown Court, where a jury will hear the case.
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers will advise defendants on how a case will treated by the courts – and whether a defendant should opt to be tried at a Magistrates’ Court without a jury, or at a Crown Court with a jury if appropriate to the charges involved.
The Duncan Lewis Crime Department is ranked in Legal 500 2014 for its General Crime and White Collar Fraud Work.
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers have acknowledged expertise in case building based on a sound knowledge of the criminal justice system – and the ability to assemble compelling evidence and documentation in criminal cases, including highly technical and complex road traffic cases, as well as serious crime.
Duncan Lewis represents clients at Police Stations, Magistrates’ Courts, Crown Courts, and at Appeal Courts such as the Court of Appeal – and has highly experienced Higher Court Advocates with a background in conducting serious matters such as murder and rape.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide across England and Wales – and a criminal defence solicitor from Duncan Lewis can usually reach a client at a police station or Magistrates’ Court within 45 minutes to advise on criminal charges.
We aim for the best possible outcome for clients facing criminal charges from the pre-investigation stage of a charge onwards – call Duncan Lewis any time on 020 7923 4020 for expert legal advice on criminal law.
For 24/7 help at a police station in England and Wales, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.
All Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are police station representatives and can advise on criminal charges even before a charge is brought, when errors or misjudgements may occur and prejudice the outcome of a case for a client.
Clients should get in touch as soon as possible if it is likely they may face criminal charges or a criminal investigation, including charges relating to serious crime and white collar crime such as fraud, violent crime (murder, rape, domestic abuse, child abuse) and criminal charges relating to terrorism offences.
Once a hearing is scheduled at the Magistrates’ Court, Duncan Lewis will prepare a case thoroughly to make sure that the outcome is in the client’s best interests whenever possible.
Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid criminal defence services.
Legal Aid is means tested and for legal representation relating to motoring offences, for example, Legal Aid may only be available in certain circumstances.
In cases where a client may not be eligible for Legal Aid, Duncan Lewis crime lawyers also offer competitively-priced fee levels for private client representation at a Magistrates’ Court, with fixed fees and advance notice of any costs whenever possible.
In some criminal cases, after the event insurance may be an option and Duncan Lewis will advise on an appropriate level of insurance to cover the potential costs of defending a criminal case and to pay any costs imposed by the court.
Call Duncan Lewis Criminal Defence Solicitors for expert legal representation at Magistrates’ Courts on 020 7923 4020.