Why is it Vital to Instruct the Best Lawyer to Defend you at the Beginning of a Sexual Allegations Case?

Richard Egan February 6, 2018

Being detained, arrested or charged with a criminal offence is often one of the most confusing and stressful experiences an individual is likely to encounter. For many of our clients, allegations have surfaced from historical events or are otherwise unexpected, resulting in quite a shock for clients and their loved ones. In all situations, it is important to instruct the right solicitor at the earliest stage possible.

Often when a suspect is approached by the police, they feel that being innocent of an alleged crime is enough to clear the matter up and speak freely to the police without the benefit of legal advice. On the other hand, some will instruct a solicitor who does not have the required level of experience in defending against serious criminal allegations. These are significant errors that we at Tuckers Solicitors are regularly left challenging at the appeal stage, should the matter result in conviction.

It is essential that you have high quality, specialist representation from the start of any criminal investigation to give you the best chance of successfully defending the charges against you. Winning an appeal is far more challenging than providing an expert defence early on, and so you should always instruct the best legal services from the outset.

Our Criminal Defence Lawyers have the expertise and knowledge to ensure our clients are treated fairly when they come into contact with the criminal justice system. Even the most innocent of statements made to the police during an initial investigation can serve to strengthen the case against you. Our Special Casework Team, led by expert Criminal and Sexual Offences Solicitor, Richard Egan, can provide robust representation at all stages, from an interview with the police to a court trial. We will meticulously examine the evidence against you, identifying any errors and weak points, and prepare a strong defence strategy. We have many years of combined experience in defending clients against serious criminal charges. Contact us today and give your case the best chance of success.

Richard and the Special Casework Team have particular expertise in defending clients in sexual offence cases, including relating to historic sex abuse, but we can assist in defending you against allegations of any serious crime.

Expert Serious Crime Defence Solicitors

When you instruct us, we aim to build a strong enough defence to prevent the case getting to the conviction stage, minimising the impact on you and your loved ones. By methodically and persistently examining all evidence, while working closely with both our clients and specialist criminal barristers, we can identify all potential evidence and subsequently ensure that all relevant information is disclosed.

One of the most important steps we will take when preparing your defence is to create a powerful defence statement; one of the fundamental cornerstones of a defence is a properly drafted defence statement. A defence statement not only sets out what the person’s defence is, but also gives reasons (where possible) for the lack of opportunity for the offence to have been committed or other reasons why it could not have been committed. Further, it gives the defence an opportunity to ask for the disclosure of certain documentation and items (sometimes subject to the leave/permission of the Court) which may help prove the defendant’s case.

Primarily, because of the severity of the crime, and subsequent sentence, it is paramount that a thorough defence statement is prepared in all historic sexual abuse cases. Any issues concerning the consistency and reliability of evidence must be thoroughly addressed. Incidents that are alleged to have occurred several times or over an uncertain period can often lead to “course of conduct” counts alleging unfounded multiple offending. Because of the potential to cause misleading impressions about the assumed extent of the abuse, careful preparation and an extremely detailed defence statement must counteract it.

Our expert legal team understands the importance of a robust defence statement, and as a result prepares them, and all other court documentation, alongside specialist trial counsel, who ensure that a coherent trial strategy is put in place in the case’s initial stages. The client is involved in every step of the process. Conferences are organised with counsel, often ahead of the delivery of prosecution papers, to ensure that all the correct decisions are made. Our expert solicitors pride themselves on the meticulousness of their preparation, which prevents a fractured case and reduces the possibility of any ambiguity.

Tuckers Criminal Defence Experience

The Special Casework Team have acted for clients who have been charged with sexual assaults, rape, offences against children, making pornographic images and related crimes. Richard and the Team have an outstanding record of defending clients charged with sexual offences, with more than 90% of the clients they have defended since November 2000 having been found not guilty.

The potential for miscarriages of justice is high in sexual offence cases especially for example in historic abuse cases. As such, the right to a fair trial has particular significance. Unfounded allegations must be robustly defended, with considerable attention given to the accuracy and integrity of evidence and how a case is presented.

At Tuckers, we represent clients who are privately funded or have the benefit of LEI (Legal Expenses Insurance). Many people do not realise when charged with a criminal offence, they do not have to instruct the solicitor their LEI provides. Indeed, the solicitors recommended by the insurers are not necessarily the best or most experienced in their field.

Contact our Expert Criminal Defence Solicitors Manchester & London

If you are not satisfied with the representation that you are presently receiving from your solicitor, or if you have recently been charged with, or interviewed about, sexual offences or any other serious crime, we can help. Our Special Casework Team is comprised of experts committed to providing high-quality criminal defence in some of the most complex areas of criminal law.

We strongly advise anyone who has been approached by the police to seek expert legal advice at the earliest opportunity. This may be at a police station if you have been detained or arrested. Alternatively, you may have received a citation to attend court to provide your plea to an allegation.

In any case, seeking expert criminal legal advice at the earliest opportunity will ensure you are able to uphold your rights in the face of prosecution and have the best defence available to you throughout the proceedings.

At Tuckers, we are known for our preparation, client-focus and professionalism. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to deliver expert legal advice and assistance. For more information, please e-mail meyerj@tuckerssolicitors.com or call 07973226586.
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