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Introduction

Ashfords Criminal team have considerable and wide ranging expertise and experience in prosecuting offences and representing clients who have been prosecuted in Courts throughout the country, particularly in the South West.

The Department prosecutes for various public authorities including local authorities, the RSPCA and the Health & Safety Executive. This work involves initial advice, preparation of proceedings and presentation of cases in Courts throughout England and Wales.

We attend at Police Stations on a 24 hour basis to give initial advice and assistance to clients arrested or attending voluntarily and subsequently review the evidence, advise and represent clients if charged.

We also provide a comprehensive Criminal Service offering assistance to serving prisoners in addition to those accused of criminal offences.

Work handled includes:

Prosecution

• Trading Standards
• Fraud
• Food safety
• Trade mark infringement
• Noise nuisance
• Parking offences
• Many other regulatory offences

Defence

• Road traffic offences
• Benefits and social security fraud
• VAT Evasion 
• Internet offences 
• Corporate health and safety
• Violence
• Trading standards
• Drugs offences
• Dishonesty

Prison Law

Our range of expertise extends to

• those recalled on licence,
• those whose detention is due to be reviewed by the Parole Board and
• defending prison adjudications.

 We prosecute a variety of offences particularly for local authorities and have significant experience in representing clients charged with serious offences appearing before Magistrates and Crown Courts or summoned for more minor offences, including motoring offences. We frequently successfully represent client who are facing disqualification from driving.

We regularily receive complimentary comments from clients who have been represented at all stages of the criminal process.

Our Solicitors are qualified to provide advice at Police Stations and representation at Courts as Duty Solicitors. Legal Aid is also often available (subject to means) if there are concerns about the costs of representation.

We hold a Legal Service Franchise for Family, Crime and Personal Injury and are able to offer public funding (Legal Aid) for those who are financially eligible.

The Legal Services Commission has on its website at www.clsdirect.org.uk a calculator which you can use to determine whether you would qualify for Legal Aid. Alternatively, we would be happy to advise whether you qualify and if so help you to complete the application forms.

For further information please contact John Smith at j.smith@ashfords.co.uk