I have been arrested – what do I do?

Do not comment to the arresting officer about the allegation, and do not struggle or resist, as this can only make matters worse. As soon as you arrive at the police station, tell the custody sergeant that you wish to instruct CJCH.

Do I have to pay for you to represent me at the Police Station?

No. Everyone in the country, whatever their income, is entitled to free legal advice and representation when being questioned about an alleged offence at a police station, however, we also offer privately funded police station representation.

Do I have to answer police questions?

No. Anyone being questioned by the police has a right to silence. There are risks attached both to staying silent and to giving an account, which is why it is vital to have a lawyer at the police station so that you receive the best advice on how to deal with police questioning.

I have been charged with an offence – what do I do now?

Contact us as soon as possible with the date and time you are due to appear in court, and arrange an initial discussion. The sooner we know, the better prepared both you and we will be.

Will my case be heard at the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court?

Some cases are dealt with only in the Magistrates’ Court and some very serious offences only in the Crown Court. Many offences fall in between and are known as either-way offences. Magistrates can send an either-way case to the Crown Court, and if they choose to keep it themselves, you can still choose a Crown Court trial. We can advise on the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Am I eligible for criminal legal aid?

Legal aid depends on the stage and your circumstances. Advice and representation at the police station is free to everyone, regardless of income, subject to prior arrangement for privately-funding police station representaiton For cases that reach the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, criminal legal aid is subject to a means test and an interests of justice test. We will check whether you qualify and explain how your defence can be funded, whether through legal aid or privately.

What is exceptional hardship?

Exceptional hardship is an argument used to avoid disqualification when a driver reaches 12 or more penalty points under the totting up rules. If a ban would cause hardship beyond the ordinary inconvenience of losing a licence, for example, the loss of your job or serious consequences for others who depend on you, the court may decide not to disqualify you. You must properly evidence the argument, and we can advise on your prospects and prepare your case.

I have been charged with drink or drug driving; what happens?

Drink driving and drug driving are treated seriously by the courts, and a conviction usually carries a mandatory driving ban, so early advice is important. We will review how the evidence was obtained, whether the correct testing procedure was followed and whether any defence is available, as well as advising on mitigation and the likely penalties.

Can the RSPCA prosecute me?

Yes. The RSPCA can bring private prosecutions, most commonly under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. If you are facing an RSPCA investigation or prosecution, we can review the evidence, advise you on your position and represent you in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.

What is an NMC fitness to practise hearing?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) regulates nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in the UK. A fitness to practise hearing considers whether a registrant’s ability to practise safely is impaired, and the outcome can affect their registration and career. We advise and represent healthcare professionals facing regulatory and fitness-to-practise proceedings.

What should I do if HMRC, Trading Standards or Companies House is investigating me?

Take advice before responding or attending any interview. These investigations can lead to serious penalties, including prosecution. We will explain the process, advise on your position and represent you at every stage.

Can I appeal against a conviction or sentence?

In many cases, yes. Appeals against a decision of the Magistrates’ Court are usually made to the Crown Court, while appeals against conviction or sentence following a Crown Court trial are made to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). We will review your case, advise whether there are realistic grounds and, where there are, prepare and present your appeal.

Do you offer criminal defence at all of your offices?

Yes. Our criminal and regulatory defence service is available across all seven CJCH offices in South Wales and the South West, including our Swansea office, and we provide a 24-hour emergency service for urgent police station matters.

What is contempt of court?

Contempt of court covers conduct that interferes with the administration of justice, such as disobeying a court order or disrupting proceedings. It can carry serious penalties, including a fine or imprisonment, so early specialist advice is important. We can explain the allegation against you and represent you throughout the proceedings.

Criminal & Regulatory Defence Solicitors

Criminal and Regulatory Defence

Being investigated, arrested or faced with a criminal charge is one of the most stressful situations that an individual or a company can go through, and the guidance you get at the very first stage can have a real effect on the result. CJCH Solicitors gives specialised legal defence in both criminal and regulatory matters in all of our seven offices in South Wales and the South West, whether the client is paying privately or is receiving legal aid, at each stage from the police station all the way up to the Court of Appeal. The firm also has a 24-hour emergency contact number for urgent criminal issues.

Our criminal defence team represents individuals and companies in a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters, and are experienced in dealing with serious and complex offences relating to Fraud, Money-Laundering, Crypto-Currency, Rape, Sexual Assaults, Murder and Serious Violent offences.

Whether you are facing questioning at the police station, a hearing in the Magistrates’ Court or a trial in the Crown Court, we provide clear, practical advice and robust representation.

Police station representation

You have the right to obtain free legal advice and to have legal representation with you at the police station no matter what your income is, for this service is open to all people, however, we also undertake privately funded police station representation. Our team of Solicitors andAccredited Police Station Representatives will be there to help protect your rights, to give you advice before you are questioned and to see that the proper procedures are carried out. The things you do say or fail to say at this early stage may have a long-term impact on your case and it is therefore important that you have a representative present.

Representation at court

We undertake representation within all levels of the criminal courts.

The Magistrates’ Court and the Youth Court—most criminal cases start there, and many end there too. We give advice on pleas and venue, prepare your case thoroughly and appear on your behalf at all hearings, and we also represent young people in the Youth Court.

The Crown Court deals with more serious offences and with either-way offences that are sent for trial. We take responsibility for case preparation, disclosure, trial advocacy, and sentencing.

If you have been convicted or given a sentence and think that the decision was wrong or unsafe, we can offer advice on appealing. Appeals after a trial at the Crown Court are taken to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), whereas appeals from the Magistrates’ Court are generally made to the Crown Court.

Motoring and driving offences

You could face penalty points, a fine or having your licence taken away, with a serious effect on your job and on your everyday life. We provide defence for all types of motoring offences, including:

Drink driving and drug driving.
Speeding
Exceptional hardship applications to avoid a totting-up disqualification
Special Reasons Arguments
Dangerous / Careless Driving
Causing Serious Injury or Death by Dangerous Driving

We’ll look at the evidence and the procedure that was followed, give advice regarding any possible defence, and if a conviction is likely then take steps to safeguard your position by means of mitigation.

Regulatory and business crime defence

Individuals, professionals and businesses increasingly face investigation and prosecution by regulators and public bodies, where the penalties can be severe. We advise and represent clients in matters brought by, or relating to:

DVLA prosecutions
HMRC criminal investigations
Companies House prosecutions
Trading Standards
RSPCA prosecutions, commonly brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
Professional regulatory and fitness to practise proceedings, including Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearings

Contempt of court proceedingsOur experience includes carrying out investigations into fraud and taking part in court martial proceedings. We assist our clients throughout the interviews, investigations and proceedings and act on their behalf at every stage.

Legal aid and funding your defence

We represent clients who have privately funded their cases as well as those who obtain legal aid. It is free for all people to get advice and to have us present them at the police station, no matter their financial situation, however, we also undertake privately-funded police station representation and privately funded representation for interviews under Caution conducted by other agencies where Legal Aid is not available.In cases that go to the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, criminal legal aid is subject to a means test and an interests of justice test. We will determine if you qualify and advise you about the different ways of funding your defence. For further information, see our guide to legal aid eligibility.

Why choose CJCH Solicitors

A criminal defence team ranked by Chambers UK
Accredited police station representatives and experienced Crown Court advocates.
Representation for both privately funded and legal aid clients
A 24-hour emergency service for urgent police station matters
Seven offices across South Wales and the South West, including Swansea
Lexcel accredited for practice management and client care

Our offices

Our criminal and regulatory defence service is available across all seven CJCH offices: Cardiff, Barry, Bridgend, Blackwood, Caerphilly and Swansea. With our 4.9-star Trustpilot rating and decades of hands-on experience, we combine technical legal excellence with dedicated, reassuring client care.

Speak to our criminal defence team.

If you or a family member needs advice, contact us as early as possible. Call 0333 231 6405, or in an emergency call 07967 305949. You can also use the contact form on this page or email crimedept@cjch.co.uk