Criminal Defence Solicitors in Birmingham

Have you been arrested? Are you due to be interviewed by police under caution? Perhaps you have been released on bail or under investigation? Or are you worried about whether you may be accused of committing an offence?

Bespoke Private Fee Service

If you believe your case is likely to have serious consequences for you now, or in the future and you have the means to pay for this service

Do we offer free consultations?

We know how confusing, upsetting and stressful it can be to be caught up in a criminal investigation or prosecution, especially when there can be life changing consequences if things go the wrong way.

Whatever situation you find yourself facing, clear legal advice from an experienced criminal defence lawyer is essential to protect your rights and help you get the best possible outcome.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our specialist criminal lawyers in Birmingham have achieved an exceptional track record of success for our clients over the years. We regularly support clients at police stations and in prosecution all over the UK, including at the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court, Crown Court, Court of Appeal and all the way up to the Supreme Court where necessary.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

1000's of Cases Dropped
24/7 Emergency Phonelines
100's of Years Combined Experience
Read all Reviews

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Recent Cases

There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.

See all cases

No Further Action Common Assault Wood Green Police Station - 2024

Charges Dropped & Caution Criminal Damage Islington Police Station - 2024

Community Order Secured Stalking Highbury Corner Magistrates Court 2024

S.18 GBH Dropped After Driving At Man Luton Crown Court 2024

Not Guilty - Three Common Assaults Against Traffic Warden Willesden Magistrates' Court 2024

Not Guilty Private Client Charged With Racially Aggravated Assault Road Rage 2024

Driving licence retained Following successful Exceptional Hardship Argument Lavender Hill Magistrates Court 2024

Not Guilty Man Cleared False Historic Sexual Offences Isleworth Crown Court 2024

How quickly do you respond?

We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.

Can you get cases dropped?

Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.

We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you.

Have you won any awards?

OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED -

"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".

Do you offer free consultations?

Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about –

Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
Public and private funding benefits.
Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.

Consultations do not apply to the following cases –

If we do not intend to take the case on.
Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance.
If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
To businesses.
Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.

We can help you to access legal aid where available and, should you need to self-fund your representation, we can offer fixed fees and transparent cost estimates to match your needs.

It is important to us that everyone who needs it can access our legal expertise, so we are always available in person and over the phone, and we can visit you in prison if required.

Our highly experienced criminal defence solicitors in Birmingham offer:

24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
Representation anywhere in England or Wales
Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

Speak to our criminal defence lawyers in Birmingham now

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, please call 0121 614 3333.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night, please call our emergency number 07891 777090.

You can also email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.

Why choose JD Spicer Zeb’s criminal law solicitors in Birmingham?

When you are arrested or interviewed under caution by the police, you are entitled to free legal representation. However, it is essential to realise that not all criminal defence lawyers are the same and the representation you get right from the start can make a big difference to whether you are charged or prosecuted and the outcome of any prosecution.

Every police station will have ‘duty solicitors’ available who can represent you, but you are also free to choose your own lawyer. While a duty solicitor will be trained lawyer, they will not necessarily have the experience or specialist expertise to best advise you about the types of charges you are facing. This is especially true if those charges relate to situations whether there are complicated circumstances to consider.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our dedicated criminal defence lawyers have decades of experience supporting clients facing the most complex and high stakes charges. With a detailed understanding of criminal law and the various defence options available, we can quickly identify any flaws in the case against you and ensure all mitigating circumstances are brought to light.

Our team have a very strong track record of helping our clients to avoid charges wherever possible. If you are charged, we can give you the best chance of seeing those charges dropped or securing a not guilty verdict in court. Where conviction cannot be avoided, we will use all of our legal expertise to help minimise the criminal penalties you face.

So, if you need expert criminal defence representation, our team are available to act in your defence around the clock, including weekends and bank holidays.

Our criminal defence expertise

Our dedicated team of criminal solicitors in Birmingham can advise and represent you for all stages of criminal proceedings related to offences including but not limited to:

Sexual Offences
Assaults, from Common Assault to Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
Theft, Burglary and Robbery
Benefit fraud
Serious Fraud
White Collar Crime
Conspiracies
Cyber Crime
Public Order Offences
Driving Offences
Youth Crime
Murder
Manslaughter
Serious Crime
Firearms
Drugs Offences (from simple possession to possession with intent to supply, drugs conspiracies, cultivation and production)
Human Trafficking
Terrorism
Money Laundering
Extradition
Breach of Court Orders (including Non-Molestation Orders and Restraining Orders)

To find out more about our criminal defence expertise, please take a look at our case studies.

Funding your criminal defence

Funding police station representation

You have the right to free legal representation if you are arrested or interviewed under caution by the police. This free legal advice can be provided by whichever duty solicitor is available at the time or you can choose your own solicitor.

Funding your legal defence if you are prosecuted

If you are prosecuted, you may be able to get a Representation Order (legal aid) to cover some or all of your defence costs. Exactly how much financial assistance you can get and the application process will depend on which type of court you are prosecuted in.

Magistrates’ Court prosecutions

For a Magistrates’ Court prosecution, a Representation Order can potentially cover some or all of your defence costs.

To qualify for legal aid for Magistrates’ Court, you must pass:

A means test – To show you need help to fund your defence.
A merit test – To show your defence is in the interests of justice.

Crown Court prosecutions

For a Crown Court prosecution, a Representation Order will at most cover some of your legal costs and you will be required to fund the rest yourself.

To qualify for legal aid for Crown Court, you only need to pass a means test, as having legal representation will automatically be considered to be in the interests of justice.

Private fees

If you do need to meet some or all of the cost of your legal defence, we will clearly explain all of the costs involved and our fee structures. It is worth remembering that any contribution you make towards your legal costs will be refunded if you are found not guilty.

Please get in touch to discuss our criminal defence fees or you can take a look at our guide to funding your criminal defence.

Common questions about criminal investigations and prosecutions

What happens if you are arrested?

During an arrest, the arresting officers are legally required to tell you:

That they are police officers
That you are being arrested
What specific offence or offences you are believed to have committed
Why it is necessary for you to be arrested
That you are not free to leave

They must also caution you using the words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

The police have the power to do the following when arresting you:

Search you
Use ‘reasonable force’ if you resist arrest, try to escape or become violent
Handcuff you if the arresting officers feel this is appropriate

When you have been arrested, you will normally be transferred to a police station, held in custody (in a cell) and then interviewed.

Following a police interview, you can expect one of several things to happen:

You are released with no further action
You are released under investigation
You are detained in custody
You are charged with a specific offence

Should you be charged with an offence:

A hearing date will be set
You will either be:
Released on bail
Kept in custody until your court hearing

Please note, if you are released under investigation or with no further action, you can be rearrested or summonsed to attend a court hearing at any time.

Can police search your phone when they arrest you?

Police are allowed to search your phone, as well as downloading and storing your data, as long as they have reasonable grounds to believe your phone may contain evidence related to an offence.

In practice, our experience and figures from police forces across the UK show that police officers routinely search mobile devices belonging to suspects, victims and witnesses – often without informing the owners of those devices that this is going on.

You should therefore always assume that police may access your mobile phone and any data held on it when they arrest you.

Will a criminal conviction affect your ability to get a job?

Potentially, although this depends on the nature of the conviction, what job you are applying for and whether the conviction is ‘spent’. It is generally standard practice for employers to ask for information about your criminal record when applying for most jobs.

If you are required to undertake DBS check as part of a job application or as a condition of your continued employment, certain criminal convictions will show up during the check and could affect your employment.

Uncertain whether you need to disclose a criminal conviction to an employer or potential employer? Take a look at the government’s guide to telling people about your criminal record.

Contact our Birmingham criminal law defence solicitors today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about a potential criminal charges or prosecution, you can contact our Birmingham criminal defence team by:

Phone: 0121 614 3333

Email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.

Get immediate legal advice 24/7, 365 days a year

For immediate representation and advice, call our emergency number: 07891 777090 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.

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