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Far Right Extremism - What charges can be brought?

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Have you been accused of far-right extremism (ERWT) or terrorism? JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors  can advise. We understand that criminal proceedings can have a devastating impact on the lives of defendants and their families.

Our team of expert solicitors fight fearlessly for our clients and will leave no stone unturned in seeking to ensure that justice is served in every single case. No matter your circumstances, your case is important to us because it is important to you.

While we hope this information is useful, please note that it should not be taken as legal advice. If you need further support with allegations of far-right terrorism, then please get in touch and our team can advise you.

What is Far-Right Extremism and Terrorism?

Right-Wing extremism and terrorism encompass White Supremacism and Cultural Nationalism. This extreme ideology more broadly involves the belief that what these groups perceive to be British culture needs to be preserved. This principle often entails eradicating or causing harm to those of other ethnicities who are considered to be ‘alien’.

Examples of this type of ideology were exhibited by the Nazis, who wanted to eradicate all other ethnicities leaving only the pure Aryan race. More recently, ‘Neo-Nazism’ is the term given to more contemporary white-supremacist and other far-right movements, such as the Ku Klux Klan.

Extremism is a term which has been widely used alongside the concept of right-wing ideology to reflect the use or support of violence to achieve the ideals. The law criminalises certain activities preparing for such violence and encouraging racial hatred.

What are the most common far-right extremism offences?

Here at JD Spicer Zeb, we have had a variety of experiences representing defendants charged with the most common offences committed in pursuit of far-right and extremist ideology, including the following:

  • Disseminating terrorist publications (section 2 Terrorism Act 2006) which involves distributing terrorist publications to encourage acts of terrorism. This offence is seen most often, as it can easily be committed online by downloading certain manuals, instructions or propaganda and sent to others via social media.
  • Preparing terrorist acts (section 5 of the Terrorist Act 2006) which involves engaging in the preparation or assisting others in the preparation of acts of terrorism. This can involve obtaining chemicals, explosive materials, dangerous weapons or even messages exhibiting the organisation of an act.
  • Collecting Information (section 58 of the Terrorist Act 2000) involves collecting or recording information that would be useful to preparing or committing an act of terrorism. This often occurs via downloading and saving multiple manuals, instructions or propaganda onto a computer.

Further, terrorism offences are governed by the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006, and terrorism is defined as the following specific acts which can be used, or threatened to be used, to influence the government or international governmental organisations, or to intimidate the public:

  • Serious violence against a person
  • Serious damage to property
  • Endangering a person's life (other than that of the person committing the action)
  • Creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public
  • Action designed to seriously interfere with or seriously disrupt an electronic system

Further to planning, assisting or collecting information, an additional offence can be committed through the involvement of a proscribed organisation. There is a list of proscribed organisations which the Home Secretary has determined, rendering these as Terrorist organisations. It therefore becomes a proscribed offence to belong to, support or meet with that organisation, and to wear clothing or carry articles which arouse suspicion that an individual is a supporter of that organisation.

In the context of the far-right, organisations including National Action, and Sonnenkrieg Division have been added to the list of proscribed organisations. 

To expand, the offences under the Terrorism Act that can be committed in support of a proscribed terrorist group include:

  • Belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (section 11 of the Terrorism Act)
  • Invite support for a proscribed organisation (the support invited need not be material support, such as the provision of money or other property, and can also include moral support or approval) (section 12(1)) Terrorism Act)
  • Express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation (section 12(1A) Terrorism Act)
  • Arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation (section 12(2) Terrorism Act); or to address a meeting if the purpose of the address is to encourage support for, or further the activities of, a proscribed organisation (section 12(3) Terrorism Act)
  • Wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (section 13 Terrorism Act)
  • Publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (section 13(1A) Terrorism Act)

These offences are serious and carry a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.

Credit for a guilty plea

In short, where a guilty plea is indicated at the first stage of proceedings, you could receive a reduction from 1/3 for an offence.

More information regarding the potential outcomes for indicating a guilty plea can be found here.

Why Choose JD Spicer Zeb’s Criminal Solicitors?

Facing an accusation of extreme far-right terrorism can understandably be extremely distressing. Having expert legal representation on your side in these situations is key.

At JD 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. With our support, you can be confident that you can achieve a positive outcome for your case, whether that means having charges dropped or having a sentence lowered if conviction is unavoidable.

We have specialist expertise in handling the typical types of evidence that will be relied on in cases involving far-right terrorism and extremism, such as digital evidence and witness testimony. This means we can piece together a compelling case, identify any flaws in the case against you and ensure any evidence that supports your position is clearly identified.

We have been accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation. This, coupled with our extensive experience, means that we can demonstrate a strong track record of previous success, which has also allowed us to establish strong relationships with many of the country’s leading criminal defence barristers.

If you are facing a charge for far-right extremism, we are here to provide you with the support you need.

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

Related matters:

We also provide support and guidance on various examples of indictable offences, including:

Our related cases

Fees and funding

We will always be clear and transparent when it comes to the fees involved in your case.

If you need to attend the Crown Court, legal aid public funding may become available. Whether you can access legal aid will depend on whether the grant of public funding is justified.

Where you do not qualify for legal aid public funding, the alternative will be to fund the case on a private basis.

To find out more about the way we handle fees (both legal aid public funding and private fees), please use the links provided below:

Contact our criminal defence lawyers today

If you are due to attend the police station, require any urgent specialist advice, or immediate representation for far-right extremism, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact our dedicated criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

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

24/7 legal representation

Please get in touch for a free consultation with one of our expert criminal defence solicitors, as well as immediate representation and advice for far-right extremism and terrorism.

We are available to represent clients all over England and Wales at any time, so please contact our Emergency Number at 07836 577 556.

How can we help?

Common questions

We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.

How quickly do you respond?

We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.

Can you get cases dropped?

Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.

We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you. 

Have you won any awards?

OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED - 

"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".

Do you offer free consultations?

Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about  –

  • Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
  • Public and private funding benefits.
  • Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
  • An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
  • Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
  • The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
  • Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
  • Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
  • Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
  • If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
  • This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
  • Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.

Consultations do not apply to the following cases –

  • If we do not intend to take the case on.
  • Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
  • In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
  • Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
  • The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
  • The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
  • In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
  • If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
  • If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance. 
  • If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
  • If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
  • To businesses.
  • Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
  • Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
  • Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
  • Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
  • If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
  • If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.