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Private Criminal Defence Solicitors

If you are accused of a criminal offence, securing the best possible defence is critical. Our private criminal defence solicitors provide expert advice and robust representation to help you secure a positive outcome for a range of offences.

 

At JD Spicer Zeb, our criminal defence solicitors have substantial expertise in handling a wide range of cases on a privately funded basis. This allows us to efficiently assess your situation and advise you on the best defence strategy for your case. This can be especially important in high profile cases, and offences which attract serious potential sentences.

Our team’s skill and commitment has ensured that we have consistently achieved positive outcomes for our clients, including helping them to avoid charges, have charges dropped, and secure not guilty verdicts in court. If avoiding conviction is not possible, we will take every possible measure to minimise any sentences handed out.

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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.

Read more cases

During criminal investigations, you will have the opportunity of working with a duty solicitor. While duty solicitors do provide a valuable service, they do not possess the same level of skill and expertise as our private criminal defence solicitors, who will also be able to significantly increase your chances of achieving a positive outcome.

Regardless of the situation, we always advise that you do not speak to the police without a solicitor being present.

Our private criminal defence solicitors provide:

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

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.

Speak to our private criminal defence solicitors today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding a criminal offence charge, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

Our private criminal defence solicitors’ expertise

At JD Spicer Zeb, our private criminal defence solicitors can offer you:

  • A specialist criminal defence team that has over 45 years of experience
  • A depth and breadth of skills that ensure every detail is carefully considered during a criminal offence case, so you can be certain you have the strongest possible defence
  • Clear, straightforward advice in a language that you understand, so you can be sure of the steps that need to be taken and what your rights are
  • A team that are in your corner and are ready to fight for your fair treatment
  • An excellent track record of achieving positive outcomes for our clients under even the most difficult circumstances, and for the most complex cases
  • Established relationships with leading criminal defence barristers across the country
  • Close personal support through every stage of criminal proceedings
  • Law Society accreditation for Criminal Litigation reflecting our specialist expertise
  • Lexcel accreditation for the high standards of our legal practice

Pre-charge bail

If you are interviewed under caution for a criminal offence, you may be released on pre-charge bail (also simply referred to as ‘being released on bail’). Pre-charge may be granted if the police intend to continue an investigation but need to obtain further evidence before they may a charging decision.

If you are released on pre-charge bail, you will usually be subject to various bail conditions. This could include not being able to go to certain places, contact certain people and/or being required to attend the police station on a certain day.

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

Fees and Funding

We are clear and upfront about the costs of instructing our criminal defence solicitors on a privately funded basis.

To find out more about how we handle private fees, please use the links below:

Please see here if you are seeking legal aid funding.

Common questions about private defence in criminal law

What is private defence in criminal law?

Everyone accused of a criminal defence is entitled to receive free legal advice from a duty solicitor. However, while duty solicitors are skilled, they often lack the specific expertise required to build the strongest possible case for a defendant. This is where having the support of a private criminal defence solicitor is crucial.

Are private solicitors better than legal aid?

Legal aid public funding essential service that helps provide access to justice for people who would not normally be able to afford private fees.

We will always advise you on legal aid eligibility if you seek this and our team will apply for public funding if you are eligible.

You are under no obligation to instruct us privately if you qualify for a legal aid service.  Our team is dedicated to providing a high-quality service in all cases.

That said, when cases are funded on a private basis, this can allow our team to dedicate their resources to your case, providing a bespoke service that is tailored to your circumstances. When funding a case privately, you will also be able to work with the most senor solicitors/barristers that are suited to your case.

How much do private criminal solicitors charge?

The amount that your private criminal defence will cost will largely depend on your circumstances and the level of support you require. When suitable, in routine cases, we can help on a Fixed fee basis from £500 plus VAT and provide initial advice for up to 2 hours. More complicated cases or substantial work will attract higher fees. 

You can find out more about our fees here.

Contact our private criminal defence solicitors now

If you are due to attend the police station for interview, have been charged with a criminal offence, require any urgent specialist advice or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our private criminal defence solicitors today.

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

24/7 legal representation

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our private criminal defence solicitors, as well as for immediate advice and representation.

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

How can we help?