Our Police Station Services:

- Free Legal Representation: Police station representation is free under the duty solicitor scheme. You don't need to worry about costs—your right to legal advice is fully funded.

- 24/7 Availability: Criminal arrests don't happen on a schedule. Our criminal defence solicitors provide round-the-clock representation, attending police stations at any hour, day or night, including weekends and holidays.

- Immediate Attendance: We attend police stations across Southampton, Hampshire, and surrounding areas quickly, ensuring you're not left alone for extended periods before receiving legal advice.

What We Do at the Police Station:

Private Consultation: Before any police interview, we meet with you privately to:

• Understand the allegations against you

• Explain your rights and the police interview process

• Advise on whether to answer questions or give "no comment" interviews

• Discuss the evidence police claim to have

• Explain what happens next and possible outcomes

Police Interview Representation:

• We sit with you throughout police interviews

• Intervene when questioning becomes inappropriate, confusing, or oppressive

• Ensure police comply with PACE Codes of Practice

• Request breaks when needed

• Advise you before answering difficult questions

• Protect you from self-incrimination

Challenging Police Detention:

• Making representations for your release

• Arranging bail with or without conditions

• Opposing restrictive bail conditions

• Ensuring detention is lawful and not excessive

Challenging Evidence:

• Requesting disclosure of evidence

• Challenging reliability of identification, forensics, or witness accounts

• Highlighting weaknesses in prosecution case

Types of Investigations We Handle at Police Station Stage:

• Theft and fraud allegations

• Assault and violence offences

• Drug possession and supply investigations

• Sexual offence allegations

• Robbery and burglary

• Driving offences (drink/drug driving, dangerous driving)

• Domestic abuse allegations

• Benefit fraud

• Cybercrime and online offences

• Weapons offences

Why Police Station Representation Matters:

Studies show that suspects with legal representation achieve better outcomes. Early legal advice:

• Prevents damaging admissions that can't be retracted later

• Identifies prosecution weaknesses early

• Protects against oppressive questioning

• May result in no charges being brought

• Establishes your defence from the beginning

Post-Interview Outcomes:

After interview, police can:

• Release with No Further Action (NFA): Investigation ends

• Release Under Investigation (RUI): Investigation continues without bail restrictions

• Release on Bail: Investigation continues with bail conditions and return date

• Charge: Formal charges are brought and court date set

We advise on each scenario and continue representing you if charges are brought.

First Appearance:

Your first court appearance is crucial. We:

• Attend with you and represent you in person

• Make bail applications if you've been remanded in custody

• Oppose restrictive bail conditions

• Enter plea on your behalf

• Advise on plea options and implications

• Request adjournments when needed for case preparation

Bail Applications:

If you're in custody, we make robust bail applications:

• Presenting your personal circumstances and community ties

• Proposing bail conditions to address court concerns

• Arranging sureties and security if required

• Challenging prosecution objections

Guilty Plea Mitigation:

When pleading guilty is the right decision, effective mitigation can significantly reduce sentencing:

• Presenting your personal circumstances comprehensively

• Explaining background and context of offending

• Highlighting remorse and steps taken since offence

• Presenting character references

• Proposing realistic sentencing alternatives

• Maximizing credit for early guilty plea (up to one-third sentence reduction)

Not Guilty Plea and Trial Preparation:

Defending charges at trial requires meticulous preparation:

• Analyzing prosecution evidence thoroughly

• Identifying weaknesses in prosecution case

• Obtaining defense witness statements

• Instructing expert witnesses where necessary

• Preparing you to give evidence effectively

• Developing persuasive legal arguments

Magistrates' Court Trial Advocacy:

• Cross-examining prosecution witnesses to undermine their evidence

• Presenting defense evidence and witnesses

• Making legal submissions on points of law

• Addressing magistrates in closing speeches

• Challenging inadmissible evidence

Offences Commonly Tried in Magistrates' Court:

• Common assault

• Theft and shoplifting

• Criminal damage

• Public order offences

• Drug possession

• Driving offences

• Benefit fraud

• Harassment

• Breach of restraining orders

Sentencing Options in Magistrates' Court:

• Absolute or conditional discharges

• Fines

• Community orders (unpaid work, curfews, rehabilitation requirements)

• Suspended sentences

• Custody (up to 6 months for single offence, 12 months for multiple offences)

We advise on likely sentences and argue for the most lenient appropriate disposal.

Instructing Barristers:

For Crown Court trials and serious cases, we instruct experienced criminal barristers to provide expert advocacy. We:

• Select barristers with expertise in your type of case

• Brief barristers comprehensively on your case

• Attend conferences with barristers

• Continue managing your case throughout proceedings

• Ensure continuity between solicitor and barrister

Crown Court Proceedings:

Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH):

• First Crown Court appearance

• Plea entered

• Trial date set

• Directions for evidence exchange

Case Management:

• Disclosure of prosecution evidence

• Defence statements

• Expert evidence

• Witness availability

• Legal argument applications

Trial:

• Jury selection

• Opening speeches

• Prosecution evidence

• Defence case presentation

• Closing speeches

• Judge's summing up

• Jury verdict

Sentencing:

• Comprehensive mitigation

• Presenting pre-sentence reports

• Character references

• Minimizing custodial sentences where possible

Offences Tried in Crown Court:

• Robbery

• Serious assault (GBH, ABH)

• Drug supply and trafficking

• Sexual offences

• Burglary

• Fraud and money laundering

• Weapons offences

• Serious driving offences (causing death by dangerous driving)

• Complex theft and dishonesty

Appeals:

We handle Crown Court appeals from magistrates' court convictions and sentences, presenting fresh arguments to Crown Court judges.

Drink Driving:

• Challenging breath, blood, or urine test procedures

• Hip flask defence

• Laced drinks defence

• Special reasons arguments to avoid disqualification

• Exceptional hardship arguments

Drug Driving:

• Challenging drug test reliability

• Prescription medication defences

• Procedural challenges

Speeding:

• Challenging evidence (speed cameras, police evidence)

• Identification issues

• Emergency defenses

Dangerous Driving:

• Defending allegations of dangerous manner of driving

• Arguing for lesser charges (careless driving)

Driving While Disqualified:

• Emergency defenses

• Lack of knowledge of disqualification

Driving Without Insurance:

• Belief in valid insurance defenses

• Certificate production

Penalty Points and Disqualification:

• Exceptional hardship arguments to avoid totting-up bans

• Special reasons to avoid mandatory disqualification

• Reducing disqualification periods

Driving offences may seem minor, but consequences can be life-changing. Our specialist knowledge of motoring law and court procedures maximizes your chances of keeping your licence.

Types of Fraud:

• Benefit fraud

• Tax fraud and evasion

• Mortgage fraud

• Investment fraud

• Insurance fraud

• Identity fraud

• Company fraud

• Money laundering

Fraud Investigations:

Fraud cases typically involve:

• Lengthy police or HMRC investigations

• Voluminous documentary evidence

• Financial expert evidence

• Complex legal arguments about dishonesty

Our Fraud Defence Approach:

• Analyzing complex financial evidence

• Instructing forensic accountants and financial experts

• Challenging prosecution's interpretation of transactions

• Presenting alternative explanations for conduct

• Negotiating with prosecution on charges

• Robust defence at trial

Confiscation Proceedings:

Fraud convictions often lead to Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation proceedings. We defend against:

• Disproportionate benefit calculations

• Excessive available amount assessments

• Hidden assets allegations