Violent Crime Solicitors

Violent offences carry very serious punishments for anyone that is convicted. If you have been arrested for a violent crime, or are under investigation, the representation of our highly experienced solicitors is essential.

Bespoke Private Fee Service

If you believe your case is likely to have serious consequences for you now, or in the future and you have the means to pay for this service

Do we offer free consultations?

At JD Spicer Zeb, our specialist violent crime solicitors have a proven track record of success, having been firmly established as one of the leading UK criminal law firms. We are therefore perfectly positioned to support you if you are facing an accusation of committing a violent offence.

From an initial arrest through to any following court proceedings, our violent crime solicitors can be alongside you to build the strongest possible defence. With the advice of our team, we can help you to secure the best possible result for your case – whether involves avoiding charges altogether before a case proceeds to court, or having sentences reduced where conviction is unavoidable.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

1000's Cases Dropped
24/7 Emergency Phonelines
100's 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

Breach of Trust Theft Dropped After Abuse of Process Argument 2024

Assault Case Dropped No Further Action Colindale Police Station 2024

Exceptional Hardship Granted Willesden Magistrates Court 2024

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

No Further Action Domestic Actual Bodily Harm Colindale Police Station 2024

Suspended Sentence - Serious Category 1A ABH - Southwark Crown Court 2024

Man Not Guilty of Historic Child Sex Offences Luton 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.

Speak to our violent crime solicitors today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about violent crime defence, you can call us on:

City of London: 0207 624 7771 - our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.
Brent & Camden London Office: 0207 624 7771
Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

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

Why choose JD Spicer Zeb’s violent crime solicitors?

We know that no matter your circumstances, it is imperative that you receive legal counsel at the earliest opportunity when facing accusations of committing a violent crime.

While you are always entitled to free legal representation from a duty solicitor while you are being interviewed under caution, they are unlikely to have the same level of specialist expertise as our team, and they are often less experienced lawyers.

When our violent crime solicitors are instructed, we will provide immediate defence around the clock, including on weekends and bank holidays. We can help you to clearly understand your position, what your future options are likely to be, and what outcome we can deliver after establishing your defence.

Our solicitors have a strong reputation as being one of the country’s leading law firms in representing individuals accused of violent offences. We have previously dealt with numerous high-profile cases, so can offer bespoke advice that is sensitive to your situation.

We have strong links with many of the country’s leading criminal defence barristers who specialist in violent offences. As such, we are well positioned to support your case, providing the strongest possible representation for any criminal trials that take place.

As a testament to our strong commitment to client care and focus, much of the work we complete is generated from referrals and recommendations from previous clients who have been satisfied with our legal services.

Funding your violent crime defence

Funding police station representation

You are always entitled to free legal representation at the police station when you are arrested or interviewed under caution. You can choose to use a duty solicitor, or one of your choosing in these cases. This is not means-tested.

Funding your violent crime defence if you are prosecuted

If you are charged with a violent offence and later prosecuted, you may be able to apply to have all or some of your legal defence costs covered by a Representation Order, also known as Legal Aid.

The level of financial assistance you are able to receive and the process for applying will depend on the court that the prosecution takes place in.

Magistrates’ Court

When a case is heard in the Magistrates’, Legal Aid can be used to cover some or all of your defence costs, depending on your circumstances. Qualifying for Legal Aid for a Magistrates’ Court prosecution relies on passing two tests:

A means test – To show that you need help with funding your defence.
A merit test – To show that it is in the interests of justice for you to have legal representation.

Crown Court

Where your violent crime offence is heard in the Crown Court, Legal Aid will typically only be used to cover some of your legal costs at most.

To qualify for Legal Aid for a Crown Court prosecution, you will only need to pass a means test. This is because having legal representation for your defence will automatically be considered to be in the interests of justice.

Private fees

Where you need to self-fund some or all of your private legal representation, our team will carefully explain all of the likely costs involved and our fee structures. Regardless of whether you receive any Legal Aid, any contribution you make towards your legal costs will be refunded if you are found not guilty.

To discuss our fees further with our violent crime lawyers, please get in touch. Alternatively, take a closer look at our guide to funding your criminal defence.

Common questions about violent offences

What is a violent crime?

A violent crime is an umbrella term which is used to describe any type of criminal offence which involves an element of violent. This could be physical acts of violence, or threat of physical action.

What are the types of violent crimes in the UK?

Violent crime covers a wide variety of offences. Some of the most common offences that fall under the violent crime bracket include:

Armed robbery
Common assault
Domestic violence
Grievous bodily harm (GBH)
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Murder
Manslaughter

It can also encompass the use and possession of weapons, such as firearms, knives and corrosive substances.

What are the sentencing guidelines for violent crime offences?

Given the broad range of offences which can be considered to be ‘violent’ the potential sentences you could receive for a violent crime can vary significantly.

As might be expected, the most serious violent crimes, such as murder, carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for anyone who is convicted. Offences which are considered less serious, such as common assault, may result in a minimum penalty of a fine or low level community order.

It should be noted that there are also a wide range of aggravating and mitigating factors that often come into play when sentencing decisions are made.

For example, common aggravating factors could include:

A violent crime being racially or religiously aggravated
A violent crime being motivated by hostility towards disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity
A violent offence being committed whilst on bail
Previous convictions
Failing to comply with court orders

Common mitigating factors could include:

Remorse for the crime
Previous good character and exemplary conduct
Age and/or lack of maturity
Mental disorders where not linked to the commission of the offence
No previous convictions or relevant convictions

What is the defence to a violent crime offence?

Exactly what can be used for violent crime defence will depend on the circumstances and the offence in question. Common defences will include:

Violent actions in self-defence
The actions/injuries do not fulfil the criteria of the offence
There were mitigating circumstances at play
There is a lack of evidence to prove a witness testimony
Pleading guilty to a lesser charge

Contact our violent crime solicitors today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about violent crime defence, you can call us on:

City of London: 0207 624 7771 - our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.
Brent & Camden London Office: 0207 624 7771
Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333

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 violent crime lawyers & police station representatives

For immediate representation and advice, call our emergency number 07836 577556 and our violent crime solicitors will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.

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