Law and Society Criminal Law Test #1 Review Guide
What is criminal law?
The criminal law sets out the definitions of criminal offences and the rules and procedures that apply when the law investigate an offence they allege you have committed; when the prosecuting authorities accuse you lot; and when you must announced in a criminal court. If you admit the offence or are found guilty, the court will impose a punishment on you, ranging from fines, customs orders and imprisonment.
Criminal police force solicitors will help you if you are suspected or defendant of a offense. When the police allege that you have committed a criminal offence, solicitors can stand for you lot to make sure your legal rights are protected and to present your case in court to make certain you go a fair hearing.
Criminal offences
There are a wide range of criminal offences. They include offences of violence such as murder and manslaughter, sexual offences and not-sexual assaults. Dishonesty offences include fraud and theft and offences against holding include arson and criminal harm. There are crimes against justice, such as perjury, or giving false bear witness under oath, and perverting the course of justice.
Criminal law solicitors will use their cognition and experience to ensure the best outcome for you and your example.
Road traffic offences
Road traffic offences include speeding, drink driving, devil-may-care or dangerous driving.
For many people, road traffic offences are their only experience with the police and courts. It is important to find a solicitor who has specialist experience of handling traffic offences who can advise you through the legal procedure.
For pocket-sized road traffic offences, you are likely to get a fine, and / or points on your driving licence. For more serious route traffic offences, such as causing injury or death by dangerous driving, as well as losing your driving licence, you could face up going to prison if yous are establish guilty.
When should I contact a solicitor?
Contact a solicitor every bit soon as you get aware that you are beingness accused of an offence. Whether you are innocent or guilty of a criminal or road traffic offence, you need the back up of a specialist criminal law solicitor equally soon as you are enlightened that you are suspected or defendant of a crime.
You lot should contact a solicitor even before you lot speak to the police or go to a police station (if possible), so they can tell y'all what to look, and explicate what your rights are.
Why should I take a solicitor at the police station?
Being suspected of a criminal offence and beingness questioned by the police, either in a police station or in some other place such as your abode, can be an unfamiliar and scary feel, so it is important that you have the support of a solicitor as soon every bit possible.
Your solicitor is there to represent your interests and make sure your rights are protected. Solicitors are contained of the police, so they will always advise what is all-time for yous and your case.
Information technology is your legal correct to a have a solicitor free of charge while y'all are under arrest or voluntarily attending a police station, or being interviewed by the police force, as a suspect, anywhere.
You tin can ask the law to contact your own solicitor or, if you don't have a solicitor or they are unavailable, ask for a duty solicitor, who are bachelor 24/seven.
It doesn't matter how much money you have every bit this service is not means-tested - it'south free for everyone.
What is legal assistance?
If you are charged with a criminal offence you may be able for legal aid. If y'all are eligible for legal aid this ways that a government agency - the Legal Aid Agency - will pay your solicitor some, or all, of your legal fees. Criminal law legal assist is means-tested and and then will depend on your income and what assets you have. Legal help likewise depends on the nature of the offence you lot are charged with, and what court you need to go to. You may accept to pay a contribution towards your legal expenses to the Legal Aid Agency.
Criminal constabulary solicitors can help you to apply for legal aid.
If you practice not qualify for legal aid you may wish to instruct a solicitor on a private fee-paying footing.
Magistrates' courts
If you lot are charged, you will be asked to appear before a magistrates' court. This is where less serious offences (for example, modest criminal harm, or speeding offences) are tried. There is no jury at a magistrates' court.
If your case is more than serious or complex, or y'all have requested trial by jury, your case could be sent to a crown court.
Crown courts
Crown courts deal with more serious cases. If you plead not guilty your case volition be heard in front end of a approximate and jury of 12 people, who will make up one's mind whether you lot are guilty or innocent, after they take heard all the show.
Why should I accept a solicitor in courtroom?
A criminal law solicitor volition suggest y'all most details of the case that the prosecuting authority alleges confronting yous, and your options to plead guilty or not guilty to the charge. They volition propose you well-nigh the probable judgement y'all may face up if you plead, or are found, guilty.
If you are pleading not guilty, your solicitor will assist you to understand the legal procedures and help you lot gear up your side of the story, and then that you can take a off-white trial. They will help you lot to empathise the show that the police and prosecution are presenting against you and will gather evidence that supports your case.
Solicitors tin assist by contacting witnesses or seeking skilful reports to challenge the bear witness against you. They may in some cases suggest instructing an advocate - a barrister or solicitor advocate - who will present your case in the court.
If yous plead or are found guilty, your solicitor can aid you by gathering and presenting fabric to the court pointing out any mitigating circumstances and explanations to persuade the court to reduce whatsoever sentence of imprisonment or fine.
How practice I notice a solicitor to aid me with criminal law?
To find a solicitor who tin can help you with criminal law, visit the Police Society'southward Find a Solicitor website and use the quick search choice "Crime" to find your nearest criminal constabulary solicitor.
By choosing a law firm which belongs to the Criminal Litigation Scheme, your solicitor will see the high standards for criminal law gear up by the Law Order.
Disclaimer
While we have made every endeavor to provide accurate information, the police is always irresolute and affects each person differently. This information is no substitute for specific advice almost you personally and we will non be liable to you if you lot rely on this information.
Source: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/public/for-public-visitors/common-legal-issues/criminal-law
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