Choosing a criminal solicitor is not a decision that should be taken lightly if you have been charged. Normally, most of our members and website visitors will be notified in the first instance by telephone call which will then likely be followed by a postal charge. You may also get charged when answering bail if you are under bail conditions.
It maybe that the information comes from the representative that attended your interview. This could be the duty solicitor or even a solicitor that you chose.
You are under no obligation to stay with them for the proceedings moving forward. If you are facing charges then you deserve, and should have researched the best available to you. Whilst it may feel awkward you should, if you did/do not feel they are right for you simply thank them for informing you and let them know you will/have made alternative arrangements. The legal aid arrangement that you entered into at interview was solely for that interview. You did not enter into any arrangement with them regarding any further representation.
Some thought must also be given to the location of the solicitor. It is often the case that you live in a different police force area to where the charges are been made.
It is recommended on minor charges, that is charges that are likely to be dealt with in the magistrates court to choose a solicitor in the Police force area where the charges are made. The reason for this is that solicitors are the ones that attend magistrates courts and you need the solicitor to be able to attend the court.
For more serious crimes where the case will be passed to the Crown Courts you need to decide if you want a solicitor closer to your home so that you can attend their offices for pre trial work and meetings or if you want one in the police force area. We would recommend that you choose one close to home. Solicitors prepare your case for a Barrister and it is the Barrister that attends the crown court. Therefore it is practical to work with a solicitor in your home area and they instruct a barrister who works in the court where you will attend trial. It is therefore accessibility to your solicitor that is important pre-trial rather than accessibility to the barrister. If the charges are very serious you will find that solicitors in any area will take on your case so you are quite at liberty to spread the search wide. However, remember you will need to be able to travel to see your solicitor so make sure they are accessible to you.
We are extremely cautious when recommending solicitors. As such we only publish details of two solicitors firms. They have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to listening and offering appropriate representation when their clients have made it absolutely clear that it is a false accusation. They are both very highly recommended for police station representation, pre charge representation and trial.
| LOOK FOR YOUR POLICE FORCE AREA BELOW AND CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE SOLICITOR DIRECTLY |
 Freemans Solicitors Contact Harvey Directly For More Information About Freemans Click Here | Bedfordshire British Transport Police (BTP) Cambridgeshire City Of London Essex Hertfordshire Kent London City Suffolk Surrey Sussex Thames Valley |
 REEDS Solicitors Contact Nicola Directly. For More Information About Reeds Click Here | Avon & Somerset Gloucestershire Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Gwent Leicestershire Manchester Merseyside South Wales South Yorkshire West Yorkshire Wiltshire |
| If you do not see your police force area listed above then contact us and outline your circumstances and I will help you find the best fit for your circumstances and needs. Click Here to Contact Us. | If you do not see your police force area listed above then contact us and outline your circumstances and I will help you find the best fit for your circumstances and needs. Click Here to Contact Us. |
