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Assisting an Offender

Being convicted of assisting an offender can have serious consequences, as well as cause damage to your personal and professional reputation. If you are being accused of assisting an offender, you should get in touch with a specialist criminal defence solicitor at the earliest opportunity.

At JD Spicer Zeb, we have over 45 years of experience providing high-quality criminal defence services for a wide range of allegations, including assisting an offender. We are best placed to support you throughout the legal process and build a strong defence on your behalf.

Our highly experienced criminal damage solicitors provide:

  • 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
  • Representation anywhere in England and Wales
  • Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
  • Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

Speak to our assisting an offender solicitors today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options when defending a charge for assisting an offender, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding assisting an offender, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

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Recent Cases

There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.

Read more cases

Why choose our assisting an offender solicitors?

For over 45 years, our criminal defence solicitors at JD Spicer Zeb have provided expert legal advice on a wide range of offences, including assisting an offender.

We have an in-depth understanding of how these cases are investigated and prosecuted, the types of evidence prosecutors rely on, and how to put together the strongest defence.

Allegations of assisting an offender carry severe consequences, including the possibility of a prison sentence, particularly in cases involving serious offences. It is important to seek legal advice that is tailored to your circumstances as early as possible.

Our team includes experienced police station representatives who are available 24/7 to provide immediate support if you are arrested or questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender. We will evaluate the evidence against you and identify weaknesses or procedural errors to help build a robust defence.

Over the decades, we have established strong professional relationships with leading criminal defence barristers across the UK. Should your case proceed to trial, you can trust that we will secure the highest standard of representation on your behalf.

Recognised for our expertise in criminal law, we hold Law Society accreditation for Criminal Litigation and Lexcel accreditation for our outstanding standards of practice.

Our expertise with assisting an offender cases

Representation at Police Stations

Anything you say at the police station will be recorded and can be used as evidence against you further down the line – should your case proceed to court.

We always advise people to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity before a police interview to give your criminal defence solicitor time to review your case and carefully consider all options available to you.

Our dedicated team of expert police station solicitors and representatives have extensive experience managing a wide range of police station matters, including allegations of assisting an offender. 

We are committed to delivering professional legal support and strong representation to safeguard your rights and ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Pre-charge bail and released under investigation

If you have been called into a police station under investigation or released on pre-charge bail, expert advice from a solicitor can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case. 

If you have been released on pre-charge bail, several conditions may apply, including restrictions on your movement or mandatory visits to the police station at set times. 

Our criminal damage solicitors will review your case and provide expert advice on how to protect your interests going forward.

To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail and release under investigation, please use the links provided below:

Having charges dropped

If you are facing criminal charges for assisting an offender, we will work hard to have these charges dropped altogether. 

We are experts in reviewing criminal cases and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution case so that we can provide practical advice on your best options going forward.

We provide a professional and sensitive service and will be available to answer any questions you have throughout the case. 

Legal representation and defence

If you are facing trial for assisting an offender, our skilled criminal defence team is here to provide the strongest possible representation. We will carefully prepare your case, guiding you through each stage of the process while advising you on your rights and available options.

Whether your case is being heard in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, we will work hard to defend your interests and achieve the best possible outcome. From gathering evidence to securing expert reports where necessary, our team will build a robust defence tailored to the specifics of your case.

At JD Spicer Zeb, we have established strong relationships with some of the UK’s most respected criminal defence barristers, ensuring that if your case proceeds to trial, you will receive high-quality advice and representation.

We are also transparent about all potential outcomes, including where an early guilty plea may lead to reduced sentencing. Our primary goal is to protect your interests and deliver the best possible result in your case.

Fees and funding

When dealing with fees and funding, our assisting an offender lawyers will always be clear and upfront about your options.

Legal Aid may be available in some cases, but this depends on the seriousness of the case and whether it will justify the grant of public funding.

To find out more about the way we handle fees (both Legal Aid and private fees), please use the links provided below:

Related offences

We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to assisting an offender, including:

Related cases

Common questions about assisting an offender

What is classed as assisting an offender?

Under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, assisting an offender is classed as carrying out an act to prevent a person who has committed an offence from being arrested or prosecuted.

In order to be convicted of assisting an offender, you had to have known that the offender committed a relevant offence, which is an offence punishable by more than five years in prison.

What is an example of assisting an offender?

Examples of assisting an offender include:

  • Disposing of evidence, such as washing their clothes, removing a weapon or disposing of a vehicle.
  • Harbouring a criminal by allowing them to hide on your property and land.
  • Providing transport to help them leave the area.

What is the minimum sentence for assisting an offender or perverting the course of justice?

There are no specific sentencing guidelines for assisting an offender, but the law does outline maximum penalties depending on the severity of the original offence.

For cases where the original offence carries a life sentence, such as murder, the maximum penalty for assisting an offender is 10 years’ imprisonment. If the original offence is punishable by 14 years or more, the maximum sentence is 7 years. For offences punishable by 10 years or more, the maximum sentence is 5 years, while for all other offences, the maximum penalty is 3 years.

It’s important to note that these are maximum sentences, and not everyone convicted will receive the maximum penalty. The sentence will depend on various factors, including the nature of the original offence, the level of assistance provided to the primary offender, and the level of responsibility of the individual being sentenced.

What is the sentence for aiding and abetting in the UK?

Aiding and abetting is assisting or encouraging another person to commit a crime in the UK. Sentencing for this crime is unique in that a person accused of aiding and abetting is liable to be tried and punished as if they committed the offence themself.

The Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 states that anyone who aids, abets, counsels, or procures the commission of an indictable offence is liable to be tried and punished as a principal offender.

Therefore, the sentence for aiding and abetting in the UK will depend on the crime you are accused of aiding. It is important to note that sentencing is complex and depends on several factors, including the severity of the crime, the level of participation, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

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.

Contact our assisting an offender solicitors now

If you are due to attend the police station for interview, have been accused of assisting an offender, or require any urgent specialist advice or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of criminal defence solicitors 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 as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for assisting an offender

Please contact us for a free initial consultation with one of our criminal defence solicitors for immediate advice and representation.

For urgent representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide you with the assistance you need.

How can we help?