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Criminal Defence Solicitors Leeds, Wakefield & Pontefract
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EMERGENCY
24 hour number: 07876 505337
As a firm of solicitors based in Leeds, Wakefield & Pontefract our team of
criminal defence lawyers are able to attend Wakefield,
Leeds, Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Barnsley and Pontefract
Magistrates' Court or police station at short notice.
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Criminal Defence Solicitors FAQ's, Leeds, Wakefield & Pontefract
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I
have been arrested what are my rights?
The police are governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence
act 1986 and its codes of practice. The most important
rights that you have whilst in custody are the right to
have somebody notified that you are in custody (strictly
speaking there is no right to speak to them yourself)
and the right to speak to a solicitor at any time free
of charge in person at the police station.
What does a solicitor do at the police station?
Your solicitor will protect your rights and ensure you
are properly treated. He will secure disclosure from the
investigating officers and discuss the disclosure with
you and the strength or the evidence in private conference
before your interview, take your account and advise you
whether to answer questions or not.
What Happens after Interview?
After your interview a decision will be taken by the police
(sometimes the Crown Prosecution Service are involved)
you will be either:
- Refused charge - no further action will be taken against
you.
- Released and asked to return to the police at a later
date.
- Issued with a fixed penalty ticket or caution
Charge.
Will I get bail?
Bail is generally only refused if the police or courts
have substantial grounds for believing that a suspect
or defendant will fail to attend court, commit offences
on bail or interfere with prosecution witnesses.
A decision to refuse bail can be appealed. |
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What happens at court?
Your first hearing will be at the Magistrates court.
If you plead guilty your case could be dealt with to
a conclusion there and then or the court could adjourn
for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence
report.
If you plead not guilty then the case will be adjourned
to an interim hearing and at that hearing a trial date
will be fixed. At the trial all witnesses will attend
and give evidence.
If your case goes to crown court the procedure is similar
but cases tend to take longer.
What punishments can the court give?
The courts have sentencing guidelines for most offences.
Discharges and fines can be imposed for minor offending,
community orders ( probation, community service and
curfew ) for more serious cases and prison for the most
serious offences.
What can a solicitor do during a case?
Your solicitor will be able to prepare your case interview
potential defence witnesses, advise you about the law
and how strong the evidence against you is and whether
or not you should plead guilty. He will present your
mitigation if you plead guilty and represent you at
trial if you plead not guilty – he may also be
able to negotiate with CPS on your behalf.
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Criminal Defence Solicitors Leeds & Wakefield
John Wood
Criminal Defence Solicitor Leeds / Wakefield / Pontefract. John trained as a Solicitor
in Leeds, qualifying in 1986. He became a Partner in a West Yorkshire
general Practice in 1991 and was instrumental in establishing the
John Wood Partnership in 2000.
John Wilkinson
Criminal Defence Solicitor Leeds / Wakefield / Pontefract. John qualified in 1996
and spent an initial period as an Assistant Solicitor in private practice
specialising in Criminal Law before joining the John Wood Partnership
as a Partner in 2000.
Katie Edmondson
Criminal Defence Solicitor Leeds / Wakefield / Pontefract. Katie is an accredited
police station and court duty solicitor working in all areas of criminal
and road traffic defence work.
Emma Radley
Criminal Defence Solicitor Leeds / Wakefield / Pontefract. Emma graduated from Liverpool
University in 2004 with an Hons degree in Law. She then obtained a
Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law in
York.
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