Sexual Assault Defence Solicitors

Being accused of sexual assault can be very upsetting and confusing and if you are arrested or charged with sexual assault the potential legal consequences can be very serious, with a possible sentence of up to 10 years’ custody and the requirement to register as a sex offender. We can offer same day appointments including virtual or out of hours if you work.

Getting the right legal advice from expert sexual assault defence solicitors from the start can make all the difference to whether you are charged with an offence and to the outcome of any court proceedings.

Our sexual assault defence lawyers are highly experienced in defending clients accused of sexual assault and other sexual offences, including in high-profile and complex cases. We can therefore provide the seasoned, practical guidance you need to protect your freedom and reputation.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

1000s Cases Dropped
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100s Years Combined Experience
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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.

See all cases

Man Found Not Guilty Sexual Assault On Train - Warwick Crown Court 2024

Man Found Not Guilty Of Multiple Rapes Following Nightclub - Northampton Crown Court 2024

Man Not Guilty of Historic Child Sex Offences Luton Crown Court 2024

Produce Indecent Image And Sexual Assault Out Of Court Disposal Caution

Man Cleared Historic Sexual Abuse Allegations Harrow Crown Court 2024

R v N M - client acquitted of rape

Man Cleared Sexual Communication With Child Crown Court 2024

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.

Our expertise with sexual assault charges

We have many years of experience advising and representing clients accused of sexual assault, including the most serious offences. Our expert sexual assault defence solicitors can provide the clear legal advice and strong emotional support you need to give you the best possible defence while making this difficult process as easy as we can for you.

Having handled a number of high-profile sexual assault cases, we recognise the importance of handling these types of serious allegations in a sensitive and efficient way, helping to limit any damage to your reputation, livelihood and family.

Our sexual assault defence lawyers have strong expertise in the use of forensic evidence, such as DNA, for sexual assault cases, as well as digital evidence, including mobile phone and app data, which is now often crucial for your sexual assault defence.

We also have strong relationships with many of the country’s top sexual assault defence barristers. This means we can ensure you have the best possible advocate if your case goes to court.

What to do if you are accused of sexual assault

If you are arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, knowing what to do and your legal rights can be essential to your defence as it can help you to avoid saying or doing anything that might undermine your case.

When interviewed by police in connection with allegations of sexual assault, please remember:

You do not have to answer any questions asked by the police.
You should never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.
You have the right to free legal representation.
You can use the duty solicitor available or choose your own lawyer.

When you are arrested, the arresting officers must explain the specific offence you are accused of committing and they must caution you by 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.”

Once you have been interviewed by the police on suspicion of sexual assault, one of several things will happen. You may be:

Released with no further action
Released under investigation
Charged with sexual assault

If you are charged with sexual assault, a date will be set for a court appearance. You may be released on bail or kept in custody until your court appearance.

If you are released with no further action or under investigation, you can still potentially be rearrested or summonsed to attend court.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is where a person touches another person in a sexual way or makes someone take part in sexual activity without their consent. This can include everything from unwanted kissing up to the most serious sexual assaults, such as rape.

Under the terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, sexual assault is where the perpetrator:

Intentionally touches another person
That touching is sexual in nature
The person being touched does not consent to this
The perpetrator could not have reasonably believed that the person being touched was consenting

The touching can be with any part of the perpetrator’s body or with anything else, such as an object.

Is sexual assault a serious offence?

Sexual assault is a serious criminal offence and can have significant legal consequences for the perpetrator if they are convicted. As covered in more detail below, a conviction could result in a prison sentence and a requirement to register as a sex offender.

What is the difference between rape and sexual assault?

Legally, rape is where the perpetrator intentionally penetrates the victim’s vagina, anus or mouth with a penis. If the victim’s vagina, anus or mouth is penetrated with something other than a penis, then this would be ‘assault by penetration’ rather than rape.

Sexual assault covers all types of sexual touching offences, so rape is a form of sexual assault.

What is the sentence for sexual assault?

Sexual assault is a ‘triable either way’ offence, meaning your case could be tried in Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court depending on the seriousness of the charges.

If your case is heard in Magistrates’ Court, the maximum sentence for sexual assault is 6 months’ imprisonment for a single offence or 12 months’ imprisonment for two or more offences.

If your case is heard in Crown Court, the maximum sentence for sexual assault is 10 years’ imprisonment.

If convicted of sexual assault, you will also be required to register as a sex offender, which is likely to affect your future employment and personal relationships.

What defence is there against sexual assault charges?

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) defines sexual assault as being where someone is “coerced or physically forced to engage against their will” to engage in a sexual act, or where someone “touches another person sexually without their consent”.

Your defence will therefore depend on the nature of the alleged offence and the circumstances involved.

If you are accused of forcing someone to engage in a sexual act against their will, it may be possible to show that no sexual activity took place, that the alleged victim consented to the activity or that you had reason to believe they consented.

If you are accused of touching another person sexually without their consent, it could be that you dispute any touching took place, that you believe the other party consented or that the touching was non-sexual in nature.

Our sexual assault defence solicitors have strong experience with all of the various defence strategies that can help you to avoid prosecution where possible or achieve the most favourable outcome available if prosecution cannot be avoided.

Contact our sexual assault lawyers today

For a free initial consultation, urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about allegations of sexual assault, indecent assault or any other type of sexual offence, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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

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 our sexual assault lawyers will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for sexual assault allegations

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert sexual assault defence solicitors, as well as immediate representation and advice on dealing with allegations of sexual assault, or any other type of sexual offence.

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

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