Representation at the Magistrates Court Guide and Free Advice
Have you been summonsed to Court? Been charged by police to appear before the Magistrates’ Court? We can help defend you with specialist advice, assistance, and representation.
For an enhanced full private service, click here, we also offer Legal Aid. We specialise in a wide range of Criminal Charges. We are highly regarded by clients, the agencies working in the criminal justice system, and professionals.
If we think there is a reasonable chance we can persuade the police or CPS to drop the case because it is not in the public interest to proceed or the case is weak and a conviction is unrealistic, we will tell you right away and take action.
In many cases, we have secured cautions by asking for the case to go back to the police station for a caution. In some cases, the decision to charge is plainly wrong or new evidence comes to light and we are experts at arguing this with the police or CPS.
For private paying or legal aid clients, taking early action can save time and costs. Ending the real trauma of having a case hanging over your head is a huge relief for our clients. We can act for you on legal aid if you qualify or privately if you seek a private enhanced service.
We understand that having to appear at the Magistrates’ Court can be a very intimidating and daunting experience. To ensure you have the right support, you should only go to respected advocates who do this work daily.
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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?
- 1000's Cases Dropped
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- 100's Years Combined Experience
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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.
That is why we recommend that you contact our specialist Magistrates’ Court solicitors, most of who are effectively the equivalent in the medical profession of a consultant level.
Do this as soon as possible so that we can provide specialist advice, support and representation to help secure the most favourable result for you in Court.
We have many repeat clients, which makes us a very busy firm. Our Lawyers are specialists, benefiting from daily experience appearing in many courts, including the Magistrates’. They are respected courtroom advocates, and many have higher rights of audience to conduct Crown Court trials themselves.
Having an experienced courtroom lawyer will certainly make a difference to the result during Magistrates’ Court hearings. We are not just an online firm with cases built from online work. We go to court every day, so our firm and lawyers are well-known by the CPS, court staff and judges.
Our clients keep coming back to us as we have a good reputation for engaging excellent court advocate lawyers. If you do not qualify for legal aid we will offer a fair private fee service and a meeting before the court date to discuss the case by telephone, Zoom, or face to face.
How can we help?
Common questions
We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.
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.
Speak to our team for Magistrates’ Court representation
For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.
For immediate representation and advice about Magistrates’ Court trials and hearings, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.
Common questions about the Magistrates Court
What is the Magistrates Court?
The Magistrates’ Court is a lower court in England and Wales where virtually all criminal proceedings start. The Magistrates’ Court normally handles ‘summary only’ cases, as well as some ‘either way offences’. The most serious offences (indictable offences) are passed on to the Crown Court and are not handled by the Magistrates’ Court.
Magistrates’ Courts also have extensive civil jurisdiction, handling various issues such as those involving family proceedings.
The individuals who sit in Magistrates’ Courts include:
- District Judges
- Magistrates
- Justices’ Legal Advisers
There is no jury at a Magistrates’ Court.
What can I expect at the first hearing?
During the first hearing, you will be expected to indicate your plea (guilty or not guilty).
What happens at a Magistrates Court trial?
If you plead not guilty, a decision will be made as to whether a trial should take place in the Magistrates’ Court. As mentioned above, summary-only cases and some either-way cases will be held there.
If the case is heard as a Trial in the Magistrates’, the prosecution will provide a summary of the case against you. Evidence will be called in if agreed by you and your solicitor. Your solicitor can question any present witnesses on your behalf. The court will also hear legal arguments from your lawyers on issues related to the law or case.
During the trial, your police interview will be read to the court, and the prosecutor will proceed to close the case.
If the prosecution’s evidence is strong enough for the case to continue, your defence solicitor will then put forward your case and present witnesses.
The Magistrates or District Judge will then consider their verdict and determine whether you are guilty or not guilty. There is no jury in the Magistrates’ Court.
How long does a Magistrates Court trial take?
Magistrates’ Court trials will usually take a full day to complete, often taking around five or six hours. It could take more or less time depending on the number of witnesses and amount of evidence needed.
Can the Magistrates Court send me to prison?
Magistrates do have the power to send you to prison, though their sentencing powers are somewhat restricted.
Unlimited fines, bans, community orders and prison sentences of up to six months custody can all be handed out depending on the type of offence. In some cases, if there is more than one either way offence to be sentenced, Magistrates’ can send people to prison for up to 12 months.
Contact our Magistrates’ Court solicitors today
For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about how we can help provide you with Magistrates’ Court assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of specialist Magistrates Court solicitors in London, Birmingham or Manchester on telephone:
- Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
- Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
- Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
- City of London: 0207 624 7771 - our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.
Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk
Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
24/7 legal representation for criminal offences
For immediate representation and advice about Magistrates’ Court trials and hearings, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.
How can we help?
Useful Information
- How can I get the CPS to drop the charges against me?
- How can I get the police to drop charges against me?
- How can I get the police to caution me?
- Police Stop and Search UK
- Pre-charge bail - What You Need to Know
- Read our Police Station Advice Guide
- Recovering Your Property From The Police
- Released Under Investigation - What You Need to Know
- Types of Evidence used in Law
- Voluntary Police Interview - What You Need to Know
- What is a 'No further action' letter?
- What to expect in Police Custody
- Why Choose a Private Solicitor for a Magistrates' or Crown Court Case?
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- Umar Zeb
- Senior Partner - Head of Private Client Crime
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- Lisa Nicol
- Managing Partner - Head of Crime & Serious Cases
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- James O'Donnell
- Partner Crime - Serious Cases
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- Sanjay Cholera
- Partner Crime Advocacy
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- Peter Mulhearn
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
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- John Geraghty
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
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- Danny Parkash
- Crime Solicitor
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- Mimma Sabato
- Barrister
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- Richard Souper
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
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- Jonathan Lynn
- Solicitor
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- Samuel Oduntan
- Solicitor
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- Barry Linnane
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
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- Stuart Lloyd
- Solicitor
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- Robert Wong
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
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- Maeve Carroll
- Paralegal
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- Rebecca Forbes
- Paralegal
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- Sachelle Gilbert
- Paralegal