Administering a substance with intent is a serious criminal offence that carries significant legal consequences. This offence involves deliberately giving another person a substance, such as drugs or alcohol, without their knowledge or consent, with the...
If you have been accused of drink driving, understanding the sentencing guidelines is crucial. In England and Wales, the courts follow clear rules when deciding your sentence, based on how much alcohol was in your system, the circumstances of the offence,...
While using a smartwatch while driving may seem harmless, under UK law, it could potentially result in legal penalties. Although smartwatches are not specifically mentioned in mobile phone legislation, the law prohibits holding and using any device capable...
If you are on bail or have a pending court case in the UK, you may be wondering whether you can leave the country. This can be a complex issue, as bail conditions and court orders often include specific restrictions on travel. Understanding your rights and...
Mr Jonathan Lynn, one of our most senior and experienced criminal defence solicitors recently represented a privately paying client with their case preparation leading up to trial in Staines Magistrates Court listed on 22 nd May 2025. Our client was...
While some people may assume that a caution will not form part of their criminal record, this is not true. A police caution is usually kept on record indefinitely and will appear on a DBS check for at least six years. We understand how worrying this can be,...
In the UK, police records are kept on the Police National Computer for 100 years, and these can only be removed under certain circumstances. At JD Spicer Zeb, we understand that having your records kept indefinitely can be concerning, particularly if you...
Losing your driving licence due to a motoring offence can seriously impact your freedom, livelihood, and daily life. In this article, we explain how you may be able to get your driver’s licence back early after disqualification and who may be...
Over the past years, JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors has earnt a strong reputation for successfully defending those accused of rape and other sexual offences . One of the reasons why JD Spicer Zeb has had such success is because of the tactical use of written...
In Brief Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 defines Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) as the unlawful and malicious wounding or infliction of serious bodily injury. Unlike the more severe Section 18 charge, a Section 20 offence does not...
Updates to the Highway Code specify the amount of room you need to leave when overtaking a cyclist. However, not all road users are aware of these changes to the legislation and failing to leave enough room when overtaking a cyclist can have legal...
Free Advice Pendleton Police Station From JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors. Do you need a Solicitor at Pendleton Police Station in Greater Manchester? Are you or someone you know being held in a police station for questioning? Do not speak to Pendleton Police...
Jeremy Dein KC is widely regarded as one of the most formidable defence barristers operating in the criminal justice system. His impressive career, which began when he was called to the Bar in 1982, has seen him establish a reputation for being both highly...
Choose JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors at Swinton Police Station on 0161 835 1638 . Do you need a Solicitor at Swinton Police Station in Greater Manchester? Are you or someone you know being held in a police station? Before you speak to Swinton Police...
The Power of police in uniform to stop vehicles is contained in S163 of the Road Traffic Act This offence occurs when (1)A person driving a motor vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform. (2)A person...
Do you need a Solicitor For Harlesden Police Station? JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors provides experienced Local defence solicitors immediately, 24 Hours a Day, for Voluntary interviews at Harlesden Police Station. Call 0207 624 7771 now...
The concept of a statute of limitations in the UK is a highly contentious subject, especially when considering historic sexual offence cases. In the following article, we discuss the situation surrounding a statute of limitations for sexual assault and rape...
Domestic assault cases are often heard in UK courts. These are serious matters, and anyone facing a charge could be liable for a tough sentence. We are often contacted by victims who wish to retract statements, but we can only act for suspects in these...
Domestic battery is an offence which is seen often throughout the UK courts. However, there are several misconceptions about domestic battery, which we will address in this article. In the following article, we clarify the definition of domestic...
In the UK, criminal offences are divided into three categories based on their seriousness: summary, indictable, and either-way offences. The process for handling these categories of offences is different, as are the corresponding severity of sentences. We...
If, following a police investigation, a decision is made to prosecute, you will receive what is known as a postal requisition (also known as a postal charge). A postal requisition is a legal document that summons you to court at a specified time and date. ...
False imprisonment is an extremely serious common law offence in the UK, with the potential punishments being severe for anyone facing a conviction. It is important to be aware of what actions could be classed as false imprisonment in the UK, and what could...
In the UK, if you accumulate more than 12 penalty points within three years, you will be disqualified from driving for six months - or two years if you have already been disqualified in the past. It may be possible to persuade the courts not to disqualify...
The consequences of a drink driving charge can be extremely serious. Therefore, it’s only understandable that you may be wondering how to get off a drink driving charge if you find yourself in such a situation. While you should not expect there to be...
From 24 th September 2024, a change to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will extend the current law, making possessing all forms of zombie-style knives and machetes in the UK illegal. This is an extension of the current ban on zombie knives, widening the...
In the UK, making an agreement to commit a crime is a crime in itself, referred to as a conspiracy. Being charged with conspiracy to commit a crime is very serious, and depending on the circumstances of the case and the plans that allegedly took place, the...
If the police are investigating you for a crime, they may decide to release you on pre-charge bail (more commonly referred to as being released on bail). This can be a confusing situation and leave you with plenty of questions about what will happen further...
If you are being investigated for a criminal offence, the prospect of your case proceeding to trial can be daunting. It is natural to look for signs that your case may be dismissed by the police or CPS, as this is often the best possible outcome. If the...
If you are accused of an offence such as assault or concerned in violence during protests or a riot, it is essential to consider self-defence. This is different to ordinary self-defence, which cannot be avoided. You may reasonably defend yourself if...
There are many steps to the police investigation procedure in the UK. If you believe that you may be subject to an investigation, it is important to be aware of what to expect and what you will need to do. We discuss the general police investigation...
During criminal proceedings, the prosecution may attempt to admit ‘bad character evidence’ to support their case. If it is admitted, bad character evidence can potentially have a major impact on a criminal trial. We discuss what bad character...
A new offence of causing death or serious injury by dangerous cycling is set to be introduced in the UK. When introduced, the offence will penalise cyclists who are deemed responsible for harming pedestrians and other road users. Like the similar existing...
Statutory rape is an extremely serious sexual offence. Being convicted of statutory rape can therefore have severe consequences. In Brief In England and Wales, statutory rape is a sexual offence where a victim is deemed legally unable to provide...
The fact that many police forces allow road users to upload footage and complaint details online has led to a rise in so-called traffic ‘vigilantes’. One notable traffic vigilante, known as Cycling Mikey, is said to have reported over 1,000...
There has been plenty of discussion surrounding rap and drill lyrics and whether they can be utilised as evidence in criminal trials. In Brief In the UK, rap and drill lyrics, music videos, and social media posts are increasingly used by the Crown...
In a landmark case, two men from Leicestershire and South London have become the first people to be charged in England and Wales for the criminal offences of assisting a foreign intelligence service and agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign...
In Brief Under UK law, protesting for or against the Gaza conflict is legal under the Human Rights Act 1998 , which protects freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. However, these rights are not absolute; protests become illegal if they involve hate...
Have you been accused of far-right extremism (ERWT) or terrorism? JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors can advise. We understand that criminal proceedings can have a devastating impact on the lives of defendants and their families. Our team of expert solicitors...
Home Secretary James Cleverly has announced plans to introduce a new standalone offence which intends to crack down on the act of cuckooing. We explain what cuckooing is and what changes are due to be implemented in the following article. While we hope...
Despite a general rise in awareness of paedophile hunters and the way they operate, there remains some confusion surrounding the law and what could happen if someone is subject to an accusation from a paedophile hunter. We discuss the law surrounding...
Most people are aware that the police have certain powers to seize belongings as part of an investigation. However, not everyone is aware of what these powers actually involve and when the police are allowed to exercise them. In Brief UK police have...
If you are due to appear at court for a criminal offence, the process that will be followed and the type of court you appear at will depend on whether the offence is considered ‘indictable only’, ‘summary only’, or ‘either...
Theft is defined in section 1 of the Theft Act 1968 as the “dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention to permanently deprive the other of it”. In more simple terms, theft involves the taking of someone...
Harassment without violence is a serious criminal offence. As such, it is important to understand the harassment without violence sentencing guidelines if you are facing a charge. Here, we explain the acts that amount to harassment without violence, what...
Whilst common assault is the least serious form of assault, it is not an offence that will always be treated lightly. Indeed, in some cases, a conviction for common assault can lead to terms of imprisonment. If you are facing an accusation of common...
ABH and GBH are two very serious offences. However, there are important distinctions between the two which are reflected in the severity of the potential sentences that can be handed out to anyone convicted. Given the similarities between the two offences,...
Non-fatal strangulation and suffocation are serious criminal offences which can lead to lengthy terms of imprisonment for anyone found guilty. They were introduced as new offences in 2022 by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 in order to cover gaps in pre-existing...
Cyberflashing became a crime on 31 st January 2024 as one of the new offences introduced by the Online Safety Act 2023. The guidelines published by the Crown Prosecution Service illustrate that it is a serious offence which carries severe punishments. With...
Drivers on UK roads are held to certain standards. Failing to uphold these standards by driving without due care and attention can potentially land you in hot water. But what does driving without due care and attention actually mean? And what is the penalty...
We offer our legal services nationwide and are instructed by clients from Worcestershire on a regular basis. Worcestershire consists of six districts: Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, the borough of Redditch and the city of Worcester....
- Page 2 of 2

