Charged with an offence: what to do next

Have you or a loved one been charged with a criminal offence? The consequences could be life-changing. 

Get the expert legal guidance you urgently need: call us on 0333 577 0522.

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Limit the damage: contact us now.

How can we help you?

We have years of experience in defending people against a wide range of criminal charges. We understand that it’s an uncertain and distressing time, with implications for your personal and professional life – and we understand how to successfully defend people against all kinds of charges.

What’s your legal situation?

 

These are some of the more common enquiries we deal with each day. If you’ve been charged with a different offence, contact us today for expert legal advice.

Records of the charges will be held by police until you’re 100 years old. After five years, some spent convictions will be removed from the records used for employment vetting.

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FAQs

What does being charged with a crime mean?

After being arrested and interviewed by police, you may be charged with a crime. In this case, the police will give you a charge sheet, detailing the crime/s they’ll investigate you for. Depending upon the severity of the offence and other factors, you’ll either be released on bail or kept in custody until a court hearing. Charges can be dropped by police or the Crown Prosecution Service if they feel there is insufficient evidence to convict you or pursuing the case would not be in the public interest. They cannot be dropped by a complainant.

Will charges stay on my record if they’re dropped?

If a qualifying offence case goes to court, it will be recorded by the Criminal Records Bureau, along with details of the arrest. However, if charges are dropped before the police investigation is finished, then just the arrest – and not the charge – will be recorded. Charges for minor offences can be removed from your record if you’re charged with but not convicted of the offence. There’s no automatic right to this, however, with applications considered on a case-by-case basis.

How long will charges stay on my criminal record?

Records of the charges will be held by police until you’re 100 years old. After five years, some spent convictions will be removed from the records used for employment vetting.

Been charged with an offence? Contact us now to protect your future.

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Criminal charges or accusations of any nature can be damaging to your future, whether it’s your career or personal life that’ll be most affected. We offer expert legal defence alongside personal service, so we’ll seek to limit the damage as much as possible.

We specialise in several areas of criminal law, including but not limited to:

Our Team

Nick Titchener headshot

Nick Titchener

Managing Partner

A dedicated defence solicitor and Solicitor Advocate, Nick is one of the founding directors of Lawtons and specialises in complex and serious crime – particularly drug crime, violence and sexual offences. Nick tends to deal with privately funded cases, where clients demand a higher level of service and attention to detail.
Stephen Halloran headshot

Stephen Halloran

Managing Partner

Stephen Halloran is one of the founding directors of Lawtons and is a specialist criminal defence solicitor, with over 25 years’ experience in criminal law. He is a Solicitor Advocate and helps his clients to navigate through complex litigation, presenting the best possible defence.
Dawn McKnight headshot

Dawn McKnight

Partner

Dawn qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and joined the firm in 2006. Dawn has experience in all aspects of Criminal work and regularly appears in the Magistrates Court and Police Station.
Joanne Cestaro headshot

Joanne Cestaro

Partner

Jo is a solicitor at our Luton office whom primarily deals with our cases at Luton Magistrates Court. She be contacted at our Luton and Bedford offices.
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Paul Dillon

Partner

Paul is a senior solicitor and consultant with over 20 years’ experience in all aspects of criminal law and with an increasing emphasis on the private instructed individuals who want to ensure a guaranteed level of service.
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Massimo Trebar

Partner

Massimo Trebar has extensive knowledge of all criminal offences, specialising in road traffic law. He combines his legal expertise with the ability to build relationships with all his clients, quickly identifying their interests and needs.
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Andy Hobdell

Partner

Andy Hobdell is a highly motivated and experienced Criminal Solicitor and consultant. With over 20 years of experience Andy has dealt with a wide range of cases within the Magistrates Court and Crown Court. Andy primarily deals with cases within Hertfordshire and London.
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Glen Henry

Solicitor Advocate

Glen is Solicitor Advocate and has 25 years experience in dealing with serious and complex criminal cases. He regularly appears in the Crown Court as well as appearing in the Magistrates Court on a range of cases including Proceeds of Crime enforcement.