Lawtons Solicitors are here to provide you with first-class, tailored service no matter the circumstances of your case. With over 200 years of collective experience in defending criminal charges, our expert services are available to assist you from the initial investigation at the police station stage, all the way through to court proceedings and appeals. As well as upholding our reputation for providing an incredibly high standard of legal guidance, our team prioritises client care and will ensure that you are met with the best possible outcome.
Initial Enquiry and Consultation
After making your initial enquiry and briefly talking over the details of your case with a member of our team, depending on your case we may organise a consultation to go over everything in more detail. Our attention to detail when it comes to our clients is what sets Lawtons apart – we understand the importance of giving personalised advice and having someone who genuinely cares fighting in your corner.
Our next steps after this point will depend on what stage your case is at currently. Regardless, we will take the time to get familiar with all aspects of your case and to thoroughly analyse all evidence to build a strong defence and identify any weaknesses in the Prosecution’s case.
Representation During the Police Station Investigation and Pre-Charge Engagement
For many of our clients, they have never had previous interactions with the Police and so understandably, being arrested and interviewed for an alleged offence is extremely distressing. The Police investigation stage is a critical period that should not be overlooked. Many people disregard the significance of a Police investigation and may not think that having legal representation is necessary at this stage. This is not the case. What you do and say during a Police interview has the potential to have significant consequences on you further down the line should your case proceed to Court.
Lawtons have dedicated specialists who are trained to advocate for clients during Police interviews and who will ensure that your rights are protected and upheld during all Police proceedings. We will take a strategic approach to ensure that you do not say anything that could incriminate yourself and, where possible, we will work to have the investigation dropped before you are formally charged with a criminal offence.
In some cases, for example if the offence is minor or if you have any specific vulnerabilities, we may be able to argue that the case would be better resolved through alternative means, such as restorative justice or rehabilitative outcomes. Often, we have successfully negotiated with Police to be able secure alternative routes to formal prosecution, such as by means of an out-of-court-disposal.
If the Crown Prosecution Service do decide to charge you with one or more criminal offences, your case will then proceed to Court. At this stage, having expert legal representatives on your side is essential to building a strong defence ahead of Court and to ensure that you are in the best possible position to minimise the impact on your future and your personal life.
Building a Strong Defence Strategy
Our approach to building a strong defence is dependent on the nature of your case, the charges you’re facing and the amount of evidence that is available. We will collect as much evidence as possible to support your account, while also meticulously analysing the Prosecution’s evidence to uncover any weaknesses or inconsistencies.
We will also try to gather other evidence that may further undermine the Prosecution’s case. This may include CCTV footage, social media or text messages or even witness statements. If we are able show that the Prosecution’s case is inconsistent in line with other evidence, this can be enough to secure an acquittal.
Due to Court backlogs, many individuals will experience delays, meaning that often a significant time has passed between being charged and having your case heard at Court. Lawtons are always here to provide support and reassurance to clients who find themselves in these situations. Safeguarding your future is our priority.
Advocacy at Court
Criminal Court proceedings can be extremely nerve-wracking, especially if there have been significant delays. At Lawtons, we are experienced in providing expert case preparation and legal guidance to individuals at the Youth Court, Magistrates Court and Crown Court.
Depending on your case and in which Court it is due to be heard in, we may see it fit to instruct a barrister who specialises in representing and advocating for clients in the courtroom. Lawtons have strong relationships with the top barristers and King’s Counsel across the country and we will ensure that your case is handled only by the highest tier of legal experts.