Expert Criminal Defence Solicitors in Worcestershire

We offer our legal services nationwide and are instructed by clients from Worcestershire on a regular basis. Worcestershire consists of six districts: Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, the borough of Redditch and the city of Worcester. Worcestershire is well known for its ancient history however as time has gone on Worcestershire’s crime rate has taken its toll. JD Spicer Zeb can act for you in Worcestershire at the Police Station, Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court. If you find yourself requiring a Criminal Law Defence Solicitor in Worcestershire then J D Spicer Zeb Solicitors are here to help.

Crime in Worcestershire

Worcestershire is ranked the 30^th safest county in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The overall crime rate for Worcestershire in 2022 was recorded at 77 crimes per 1,000 people, with violence and sexual offences being the most prevalent, occurring to approximately every 34 out of 1,000 residents.

Worcestershire Police are known to deal with a wide range of criminal offences, including:

• Homicide and other Violent Offences
• Anti-Social Behaviour and Public Order Offences
• Bicycle Theft, Burglary, Robbery, and Shoplifting
• Criminal Damage and Arson
• Drug Offences
• Possession of Weapons
• Motoring and Driving Offences
• Sexual Offences

If you have been accused of one of these criminal offences, or indeed of any criminal offence, it is crucial that you seek expert legal representation as soon as possible. We have over 45 years of experience representing clients accused of the most serious criminal offences, and are here to help you through this difficult time and secure you the best outcome possible.

The most recent survey of public confidence in West Mercia Police revealed that only approximately 60% of people in Worcestershire felt that the police were doing a good job. Indeed, many recent cases of police misconduct in Worcestershire have resulted in a lack of trust and confidence in West Mercia Police.

In 2023, one West Mercia police officer was found convicted of rape and sexual assault, whilst another was dismissed for sharing racist and homophobic content on his work phone. Also in 2023, a different West Mercia police officer was jailed after abusing his position by attempting to engage in sexual relationships with three alleged victims of domestic violence. This followed a similar incident in 2022 where a police officer was dismissed from West Mercia Police for abusing his role for a sexual purpose after sending explicit images to a vulnerable woman from his work phone.

Unfortunately, it seems that instances of misconduct have not been few and far between. The Chief Constable of West Mercia Police reported that between February 2022 and February 2023, a total of 8 police officers had been either dismissed for misconduct or had resigned before they could be dismissed.

If you have been arrested or have been invited for interview under caution by West Mercia Police, we understand that you may feel anxious. With J D Spicer Zeb Solicitors on your side, you can rest assured that your legal rights will be protected and advanced, and that the police deal with you properly and fairly.

Our Expert Criminal Defence in Worcestershire

Have you been arrested or are you due to be interviewed by Worcestershire police under caution? Perhaps you have been released on bail or under investigation by police in Worcestershire? Or are you worried about whether you may be accused of committing an offence?

We offer an Enhanced Private Service for clients facing cases in Worcestershire. We know how confusing, upsetting, and stressful it can be to be caught up in a criminal investigation or prosecution, especially when there can be life-changing consequences if things go the wrong way.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, clear legal advice from an experienced criminal defence lawyer is essential to protect your rights and help you get the best possible outcome. We can get the Police to consider dropping the charges in Worcestershire & West Mercia.

At J D Spicer Zeb, our specialist criminal lawyers have achieved an exceptional track record of success for our clients in Worcestershire over the years.

We regularly support clients at police stations and in prosecution all over the UK, including at the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court, Crown Court, Court of Appeal, and all the way up to the Supreme Court where necessary.

Where Can we Attend in Worcester?

Our expert criminal defence lawyers can come to you wherever you require our support. We have experience representing clients in cases at both Magistrates’ Courts and Crown Courts throughout Worcestershire.

Police Stations in Worcestershire & West Mercia:

Worcester Police Station

Telephone Number: 01905 332 839 / 0300 333 3000

Address: Worcester Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QX

Parking: Pitchcroft Car Park, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 6EJ (£4 for up to 24 hours)

Redditch Police Station

Telephone Number: 01527 586 113 / 0300 333 3000

Address: Redditch Police Station, 105 Archer Road, Redditch, B98 8DJ 

Parking: ParkBee Bank Park, Victoria Street, Redditch, B98 8AE (£6 for up to 9 hours)

Kidderminster Police Station

Telephone Number:  01562 826 025 /  0300 333 3000

Address: Kidderminster Police Station, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AN

Parking: Habberley Car Park, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AA (Free)

Magistrates’ Court:

Worcester Magistrates’ Court

Telephone Number: 01562 514 000  

Address: Worcester Magistrates’ Court, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QZ

Parking: Pitchcroft Car Park, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 6EJ (£4 for up to 24 hours)

Redditch Magistrates’ Court

Telephone Number: 01562 514 000  

Address: Redditch Magistrates’ Court, Grove Street, Redditch B98 8DB 

Parking: ParkBee Bank Park, Victoria Street, Redditch, B98 8AE (£6 for up to 9 hours)

Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court

Telephone Number: 01562 514 000  

Address: Worcester Justice Centre, Castle Street, Worcester WR1 3QZ

Parking: Pitchcroft Car Park, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 6EJ (£4 for up to 24 hours)

Crown Court:

Worcester Crown Court

Telephone Number: 01905730833

Address: The Shirehall, Forestgate Street, Worcester, WR1 1EQ

Parking: Pitchcroft Car Park, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 6EJ (£4 for up to 24 hours)

How Can Criminal Defence Solicitors In Worcestershire Help You?

Our team regularly helps clients to avoid charges, secure early acquittals, and achieve not guilty verdicts in court. Where a conviction cannot be avoided, we can often secure reduced penalties by making sure that all relevant circumstances are taken into account by the Court.

When you work with our criminal defence experts, we will make sure that you clearly understand your legal position and defence options, while giving you sympathetic personal support throughout what can be a very challenging process.

We can help you to access Legal Aid where available and, should you need to self-fund your representation, we can offer fixed fees and transparent cost estimates to match your needs.

It is important to us that everyone who needs our legal expertise can access it, so we are always available in person and over the phone, and we can visit you in prison if required.

So, if you have been arrested, charged, released on bail or under investigation, or if you need to get a clear understanding of your legal position, please get in touch with our specialist criminal defence solicitors now.

Our criminal defence experts will speak with you in plain English to ensure that you fully understand and the criminal proceedings and are able to make the right decisions for you.

Speak to our Criminal Defence Lawyers in Worcestershire Now

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, please call 0121 614 3333 or 0207 624 7771.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night, please call our emergency number 07891777090.

You can also email us at solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.

Why Choose J D Spicer Zeb’s Criminal Law Solicitors in Worcestershire?

When you are arrested or interviewed under caution by the police, you are entitled to free legal representation. However, it is important to understand that not all criminal defence lawyers are the same and the representation you get right from the start can make a big difference to whether you are charged or prosecuted, and the outcome of any prosecution.

Every police station will have ‘duty solicitors’ available who can represent you, but you are also free to choose your own lawyer. While a duty solicitor will be trained lawyer, they will not necessarily have the experience or specialist expertise to best advise you about the types of charges you are facing. This is especially true if those charges relate to situations where there are complicated circumstances to consider.

At J D Spicer Zeb, our dedicated criminal defence lawyers have decades of experience supporting clients facing the most complex and high-stakes charges. With a detailed understanding of criminal law and the various defence options available, we can quickly identify any flaws in the case against you and ensure that all mitigating circumstances are brought to light.

If you need expert criminal defence representation, our team is available to act in your defence around the clock, including weekends and bank holidays.

Our Criminal Defence Expertise

Our dedicated team of criminal solicitors can advise and represent you in Worcestershire in all stages of criminal proceedings relating to a wide range of offences, including:

• Sexual Offences
• Assaults, from Common Assault to Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
• Theft, Burglary and Robbery
• Benefit Fraud
• Serious Fraud
• White Collar Crime
• Conspiracies
• Cyber Crime
• Public Order Offences
• Driving Offences
• Youth Crime
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Serious Crime
• Firearms
• Drugs Offences
• Human Trafficking
• Terrorism
• Money Laundering
• Extradition
• Breach of Court Orders (including Non-Molestation Orders and Restraining Orders)

To find out more about our criminal defence expertise, please take a look at our case studies.

Funding your Criminal Defence

At present we are only taking on those clients from Worcestershire who are seeking our private premium service. However, we can also make a determination as to whether it is possible for us to take on your case via the Legal Aid route subject to our case capacity. We will not take on any case unless we are sure that we have the capacity to give it the care and attention it requires. We would be able to advise you on this after we have gained more information on your case and assessed the merits and your position. Please do get in touch and we will provide you with advice where required. 

Funding Police Station Representation

You have the right to free legal representation if you are arrested or interviewed under caution by the police. This free legal advice can be provided by whichever duty solicitor is available at the time, or you can choose your own solicitor. We may therefore be able to represent you at the police station on legal aid or on a private basis. 

Funding your Legal Defence if you are Prosecuted

If you are prosecuted, you may be able to get a Representation Order (Legal Aid) to cover some or all of your defence costs. Exactly how much financial assistance you may be eligible to receive and how you should apply for this will depend on which type of court you are prosecuted in.

Magistrates’ Court Cases

For a case in the Magistrates’ Court, a Representation Order can potentially cover some or all of your defence costs.

To qualify for Legal Aid in the Magistrates’ Court, you must pass:

1. A means test – Does your financial position show that you need help funding your legal defence?
2. A merit test – Is it in the interests of justice for you to receive help funding your legal defence?

If you are granted a Representation Order in the Magistrates’ Court and your case is sent to the Crown Court for trial or sentencing, this Order will automatically extend to cover work in the Crown Court.

Crown Court Cases

For a Crown Court case, a Representation Order may cover all of your defence costs, or it may cover only some and you will be required to make a financial contribution of your own.

To qualify for Legal Aid in Crown Court cases, you only need to pass a means test, as having legal representation will automatically be considered to be in the interests of justice.

Private Fees

If you do need to meet some or all of the cost of your legal defence, we will clearly explain all of the costs involved and our fee structures. It is worth remembering that you may be able to recover some of your privately-paid legal costs if you are found not guilty.

Please get in touch to discuss our criminal defence fees, or you can take a look at our guide to funding your criminal defence.

Common Questions about Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions

What Happens if you are Arrested?

During an arrest, the arresting officers are legally required to tell you:

• That they are police officers
• That you are being arrested
• What specific offence or offences you are believed to have committed
• Why it is necessary for you to be arrested
• That you are not free to leave

They must also caution you using the words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

The police have the power to do the following when arresting you:

• Search you
• Use ‘reasonable force’ if you resist arrest, try to escape, or become violent
• Handcuff you if the arresting officers feel this is appropriate

When you have been arrested, you will normally be transferred to a police station, held in custody (in a cell), and then interviewed.

Following a police interview, you can expect one of several things to happen:

• You may be released with no further action
• You may be released under investigation
• You may be bailed to return to the police station at a later date
• You may be charged with a specific offence
• You may be given a caution or penalty notice

Should you be charged with an offence, the following will happen:

• A hearing date will be set
• You will either be:
  • released on bail; or
  • remanded in custody until your court hearing

Please note, if you are released under investigation or with no further action, you can be rearrested or summonsed to attend a court hearing at any time.

Can Police Search your Phone when they Arrest you?

Police are allowed to search your phone, as well as downloading and storing your data, as long as they have reasonable grounds to believe that your phone may contain evidence related to an offence.

In practice, our experience and figures from police forces across the UK show that police officers routinely search mobile devices belonging to suspects, victims, and witnesses, often without informing the owners of those devices that this is going on.

You should, therefore, always assume that police may access your mobile phone and any data held on it when they arrest you.

Will a Criminal Conviction Affect your Job Prospects?

Potentially, although this depends on the nature of the conviction, what job you are applying for, and whether the conviction is ‘spent’. It is generally standard practice for employers to ask for information about your criminal record when applying for most jobs.

If you are required to undertake a DBS check as part of a job application or as a condition of your continued employment, certain criminal convictions will show up during the check and could affect your employment.

If you are uncertain whether you need to disclose a criminal conviction to an employer or potential employer, take a look at the government’s guide to telling people about your criminal record.

Contact our Worcestershire Criminal Law Defence Solicitors Today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation, or to speak to us confidentially about potential criminal charges or prosecution, you can contact our Worcestershire criminal defence team by:

Phone: 0207 624 7771 / 0121 614 3333

Email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you quickly.

Get immediate legal advice 24/7, 365 days a year

For immediate representation and advice, call our emergency number: 07891 777 090 / 07836 577 566 , and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.