Crime
Whatever the allegation, whether it be a driving offence, a serious fraud offence, theft or drugs related Ashfords' Criminal Team have considerable and wide ranging expertise and experience 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 clients who are facing disqualification from driving.
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.
- road traffic offences;
- benefits and social security fraud;
- VAT evasion;
- internet offences;
- corporate health and safety;
- violence;
- trading standards;
- drugs offences;
-
dishonesty; and
- assault.
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.
Recent work undertaken includes:
- attending at local stations on a 24-hour basis to give initial advice and assistance to clients arrested or attending voluntarily;
- represented a number of military personnel at Court Martials. Two members of the team are part of the Army Criminal Legal Aid Authority Scheme;
- represented private clients in connection with the defence of road traffic offences, benefits and social security fraud, internet offences, a corporate health and safety breach, violence, trading standards prosecutions, drugs offences and dishonesty offences;
-
successfully represented a significant number of clients who were facing disqualification from driving, including saving the license of a client who undertook a police car at speed driving a £1m sports car.
- “Very good in every way”
- “Efficient, professional, very thorough”
- “Extremely happy with the service and the courteous way all staff dealt with me”
- “Understanding and realistic”
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
