Representation at the Crown Court Guide and Free Advice
Have you been accused of committing a serious offence? Has your case been sent by the Magistrates’ to the Crown Court? Have you elected a Crown Court trial? At JD Spicer Zeb, our specialist Crown Court solicitors can help defend you with expert representation and advice, giving you the highest chance of a favourable outcome.
We are called every day by unsatisfied clients of other firms who want to transfer to us. We know you want clear advice and we will put this in writing for you. We always keep clients updated. We use the best barristers from our expert-approved panel. The service will be confidential, and we will do everything in our professional power to obtain the result you seek. Most of our work still comes from word-of-mouth referrals from repeat clients or recommendations from clients, other lawyers and professionals recommend us. We have acted for generations of families who trust our firm. For all Funding Options For Court Click Here. We offer Private and Legal Aid Funding.
In many cases, the actual difference between a good outcome and a bad outcome is the solicitor or barrister that acts for you. We can act for you under legal aid if you qualify or privately. We have many years of experience undertaking private-funded cases and can provide a clear, workable fee structure including a fixed fee for you. Please see our Premium Private Fee Service.
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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?
- 1000's Cases Dropped
- 24/7 Emergency Phonelines
- 100's Years Combined Experience
- Read all Reviews
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.
We know that undergoing a trial in the Crown Court can be an incredibly distressing and worrying time for you. The seriousness of cases heard at the Crown Court are reflected in the severity of punishments. As a result, the impact of a guilty verdict can have life-changing consequences for you and your family, possibly for the rest of your life.
We can act for you on legal aid or on a private fee basis. Do not apply for legal aid with your chosen firm of solicitors unless you are sure you will remain satisfied with the service and lawyer. If you already have legal aid, it is unlikely it will be transferred by a court but you can instruct us on a private fee basis. We can also provide second opinions in some cases where you are already represented but need a further opinion.
We are regularly instructed by unhappy clients of other firms to take cases over from a legal aid acting solicitor and we act on a private basis. Can having a less experienced solicitor make a difference to your outcome ? Simply put yes and you don't get second chances at the Crown Court. We take daily calls from unhappy clients of other firms. We prepare cases thoroughly and give you only experienced teams to work with at our firm.
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.
We deal with routine crown court cases including assault, ABH, supply of drugs, burglary, theft, right through to complex drugs cases involving the NCA, rape, murder, GBH, fraud, and complicated money laundering trials, serious sexual offences, and indecent images. We have consistently acted in some of the most complicated and serious lengthy Crown Court trials in the UK which were reported in the media. We have undertaken crown court trials lasting from 1 day to as long as 6 to 12 months in court. We are used to managing complicated cases involving telephone data, ANPR records, financial records, and medical and forensic information.
We have access to the leading experts in the UK that can assist with cases with forensic, medical and psychiatric issues..
We only instruct the best barrister or advocate to conduct your trial or hearings in the crown court. We know and work with the best barristers and advocates who are solely instructed on merit alone. The Partners review and assess the barrister's and advocate's results all the time to ensure they are suitable to work with us to achieve the results our clients demand.
This is why you need to contact our specialist team of Crown Court lawyers so that we can provide you with the advice, support and representation to help increase your chances of securing the best result for you in Court.
For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.
Whether you intend to plead guilty or deny charges made against you, we have all the necessary knowledge, skill and expertise to build a strong case for you and present it to the Court in the best possible way.
Are you looking for specialised Crown Court solicitors?
At JD Spicer Zeb, we have a dedicated Crown Court department to ensure a quality service for our clients, both remanded in custody or on bail.
Over the years we have built an enviable reputation and excellent track record in successfully defending people on trial for serious offences in the Crown Court from murder trials at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) to cases involving serious violence, drugs and gang related offences.
Our criminal defence solicitors are ready to take on your case and provide you with all the advice and representation you will need to give you the confidence and peace of mind that your matter is being handled professionally and is in experienced hands.
Why choose JD Spicer Zeb’s Crown Court solicitors?
With over 40 years’ experience in defending cases in the Crown Court, our Crown Court team comprises of very experienced lawyers and caseworkers who listen to our clients and fight for their rights.
If you are facing serious charges in the Crown Court, our team of lawyers will take a dedicated approach to ensure that your case is thoroughly prepared in order to present the strongest possible defence when your case goes before the Court.
We will assist you throughout the preparation of your case, advising you of your rights, options, and the decisions you will need to make. We will carefully prepare your matter, obtaining the expert reports, where needed, to build a strong case.
With our best experts representing you, you can rest assured that your case is being handled with the utmost care and dedication.
What type of cases do JD Spicer Zeb’s Crown Court lawyers take on?
Criminal cases in England and Wales are heard in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court. While every case begins in the Magistrates’ Court, only the more serious will be heard at the Crown Court.
Our specialist and dedicated Crown Court team is comprised of solicitors, solicitor advocates and caseworkers experienced in dealing with a wide range of cases including but not limited to:
- Murder
- Attempted murder
- Manslaughter
- Burglary
- Aggravated burglary
- Robbery
- Armed robbery
- Grievous bodily harm (GBH)
- Conspiracy offences
- Rape and other sexual offences
- Possession with intent to supply drugs
- Serious Fraud
- Terrorism
- White-Collar Crime
- Regulatory Crime
- Firearms and other weapons offences
We have considerable amount of specialist expertise and experience in the following:
- Technical cases involving facial mapping, challenging blood splatter; DNA and other forensics
- Challenging the street value of drugs
- Fitness to plead
- Fitness to stand trial
Our department is supported by a strong team of in-house Crown Court advocates who are available to help you with advice and representation at the Crown Court. We can also help you apply for legal aid or work with you on a private client basis, whichever best suits your individual aims or financial circumstances.
Contact our Crown Court solicitors today
For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about a serious fraud case, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of serious fraud lawyers in London, Birmingham or Manchester on telephone:
- Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
- Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
- Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
- City of London: 0207 624 7771 - our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.
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.
Is it an emergency?
For urgent matters, we have a dedicated 24-hour, 7 day a week emergency number, manned by our experienced team. In the event of an emergency, you may call our emergency number on telephone: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the immediate assistance you need.
How can we help?
Useful Information
- How can I get the CPS to drop the charges against me?
- How can I get the police to drop charges against me?
- How can I get the police to caution me?
- Police Stop and Search UK
- Pre-charge bail - What You Need to Know
- Read our Police Station Advice Guide
- Recovering Your Property From The Police
- Released Under Investigation - What You Need to Know
- Types of Evidence used in Law
- Voluntary Police Interview - What You Need to Know
- What is a 'No further action' letter?
- What to expect in Police Custody
- Why Choose a Private Solicitor for a Magistrates' or Crown Court Case?
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- Umar Zeb
- Senior Partner - Head of Private Client Crime
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- Lisa Nicol
- Managing Partner - Head of Crime & Serious Cases
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- James O'Donnell
- Partner Crime - Serious Cases
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- Sanjay Cholera
- Partner Crime Advocacy
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- Peter Mulhearn
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
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- Danny Parkash
- Crime Solicitor
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- Mimma Sabato
- Barrister
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- Richard Souper
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
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- Jonathan Lynn
- Solicitor
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- Samuel Oduntan
- Solicitor
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- Barry Linnane
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
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- Stuart Lloyd
- Solicitor
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- Robert Wong
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
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- Maeve Carroll
- Paralegal
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- Rebecca Forbes
- Paralegal
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- Sachelle Gilbert
- Paralegal