Discussion
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https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid for a general guide
I would hope that being unemployed and having pretty low savings you could contact your local Citizens Advice for some pointers. Especially as it is criminal rather than civil matter.
https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid for a general guide
I would hope that being unemployed and having pretty low savings you could contact your local Citizens Advice for some pointers. Especially as it is criminal rather than civil matter.
dba7108 said:
Is legal aid still available. I am currently unemployed and my savings are pretty low. I own my own small house outright. I have been accused of a criminal crime I did not commit. Do certain solicitors take on legal aid criminal cases?
accused ? Were you arrested by the Police?
Have you been charged or being told you are being investigated for x criminal actions?
Or is joe blogs saying you have done x and Im going to the police? ie how far along are you?
agtlaw said:
Don’t contact CAB. Go to a solicitor. I don’t know anyone in West Midlands.
re agtlaw. Obviously, as a lawyer yourself I bow to your knowledge / experience but could you explain (to me) just why you wouldn't / shouldn't use the CAB - especially if, like the OP, you haven't got a solicitor or a recommendation. Just interested. Thanks.dba7108 said:
to the above poster - accused of a crime, not charged so currently being investigated. I have had an interview with police.
were you arrested? If so a duty solicitor would/should have been available for your interview.Did you do a voluntary interview? if so (why !?) you should have taken your own solicitor in with you.
having worked as a solicitor although not crim but wife did - voluntary interviews are likely to be fishing and generally never to do one without legal representation/advice. The police are not there as your friends but to get evidence against you. If they suspect/reasonable grounds they will arrest you and go from there. Many people will do a vol interview and then land themselves in it by talking too much.
I take it you were not arrested? What sort of crime are they talking about? ie is it imprisonable?
Edited by superlightr on Tuesday 28th February 16:31
superlightr said:
dba7108 said:
to the above poster - accused of a crime, not charged so currently being investigated. I have had an interview with police.
were you arrested? If so a duty solicitor would/should have been available for your interview.Did you do a voluntary interview? if so (why !?) you should have taken your own solicitor in with you.
having worked as a solicitor although not crim but wife did - voluntary interviews are likely to be fishing and generally never to do one without legal representation/advice. The police are not there as your friends but to get evidence against you. If they suspect/reasonable grounds they will arrest you and go from there. Many people will do a vol interview and then land themselves in it by talking too much.
I take it you were not arrested? What sort of crime are they talking about? ie is it imprisonable?
Edited by superlightr on Tuesday 28th February 16:31
I agree that you should consult a solicitor.
If you attend a voluntary interview with Police you are entitled to free legal advice.
alfaspecial said:
re agtlaw. Obviously, as a lawyer yourself I bow to your knowledge / experience but could you explain (to me) just why you wouldn't / shouldn't use the CAB - especially if, like the OP, you haven't got a solicitor or a recommendation. Just interested. Thanks.
Because not many CABx know the first thing about crime and will not give advice other than to contact a solicitor.rlw said:
Stick with the duty solicitor who clearly does do legal aid work. They aren't doing it for fun, it's what they do for a living.
They are very hit or miss in my experience.I didn't want one when I was arrested on a load of lies but they called one anyway, she went along with what I wanted she was a 50 year old lady to. It serious crime allegation.
Depends on the crime, tell them your mum abused you and your dad did drugs tends to buy you a tonne of latitude.
A sad childhood can excuse a multitude of sins in my experience.
Has the OP been bailed subject to ongoing investigations, until they come to charging decision I wouldn't sweat it.
Best thing to do in these interviews is not answer questions, take the allegations they put to you and provide a written statement. Any police questioning is a fishing expedition.
Edited by surveyor_101 on Wednesday 1st March 11:26
surveyor_101 said:
rlw said:
Stick with the duty solicitor who clearly does do legal aid work. They aren't doing it for fun, it's what they do for a living.
They are very hit or miss in my experience.I didn't want one when I was arrested on a load of lies but they called one anyway, she went along with what I wanted she was a 50 year old lady to. It serious crime allegation.
Depends on the crime, tell them your mum abused you and your dad did drugs tends to buy you a tonne of latitude.
A sad childhood can excuse a multitude of sins in my experience.
Has the OP been bailed subject to ongoing investigations, until they come to charging decision I wouldn't sweat it.
Best thing to do in these interviews is not answer questions, take the allegations they put to you and provide a written statement. Any police questioning is a fishing expedition.
Edited by surveyor_101 on Wednesday 1st March 11:26
As for the last sentence… utter codswallop.
Dibble said:
The best thing to do is ignore advice on the internet and listen to what your solicitor tells you. In some cases, answering questions is a better option than remaining silent. A solicitor in possession of pre interview disclosure will be much better placed to advise whether this is the best course of action. The only advice I’d give would be to speak to a solicitor before any interview.
As for the last sentence… utter codswallop.
No one innocent has ever been stitched up by the UK police and justice system, yeh well they have so its not codswallop.As for the last sentence… utter codswallop.
As stated a pre interview disclosure is not always available, you take all POLICE questions and provide a written response to these and your story. No inference can be drawn as you have not remained silent. Yes if you have a alibi don't keep it till court it needs to be shared with police.
The clue is in the caution '“You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention something when questioned that you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence"
So they even tell you silence is allowed many a career criminal have avoided charges with 'no comment' I assume DIBBLE is current Job, so they are going to put a spin on this. I don't have an axe to grind as ex job long time ago and someone who has actually been arrested and questioned on serious made up charges. I was treated very badly by some officers and I was very much prejudged by some. I stuck to this and guess what it was all proved false and I was released without charge and the accuser cautioned.
Get time with the duty brief to discuss your case, but its sounds like you have already had your interview and sealed your fate.
Edited by surveyor_101 on Wednesday 1st March 11:46
surveyor_101 said:
They are very hit or miss in my experience.
I didn't want one when I was arrested on a load of lies but they called one anyway, she went along with what I wanted she was a 50 year old lady to. It serious crime allegation.
Depends on the crime, tell them your mum abused you and your dad did drugs tends to buy you a tonne of latitude.
A sad childhood can excuse a multitude of sins in my experience.
Has the OP been bailed subject to ongoing investigations, until they come to charging decision I wouldn't sweat it.
Best thing to do in these interviews is not answer questions, take the allegations they put to you and provide a written statement. Any police questioning is a fishing expedition.
I have never been arrested but I know an awful lot of solicitors on the police station rotas and, honestly, there isn't one I wouldn't trust to do their best for me. Any duty solicitor will be employed by one of the firms officially accredited to practice criminal law in their area. Their files will be reviewed regularly by colleagues and peer reviewed externally. If they don't cut the mustard, they're in trouble.I didn't want one when I was arrested on a load of lies but they called one anyway, she went along with what I wanted she was a 50 year old lady to. It serious crime allegation.
Depends on the crime, tell them your mum abused you and your dad did drugs tends to buy you a tonne of latitude.
A sad childhood can excuse a multitude of sins in my experience.
Has the OP been bailed subject to ongoing investigations, until they come to charging decision I wouldn't sweat it.
Best thing to do in these interviews is not answer questions, take the allegations they put to you and provide a written statement. Any police questioning is a fishing expedition.
Edited by surveyor_101 on Wednesday 1st March 11:26
Most of them will be older because younger lawyers don't want to do the work anymore because it simply doesn't pay and is too stressful
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