JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors Banner Image

Crime

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. 

Click here to view all court funding options

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.

Get in touch

Close

Please fill in our form and one of our experts will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please enter your name
Please enter your email address
Please enter your telephone number
Please enter the details of your enquiry
Is this a new criminal allegation you wish to talk to us about?
Please enter the offence
Please enter the police force City or Police station
Please enter the next date
Please enter the Magistrates or Crown court
Please select the next hearing purpose
Are you seeking legal aid or a private service?
Please enter the verification code

Any data that you submit using this web form will be held by our firm as Data Controller and will be held securely for 6 weeks before being securely and confidentially destroyed. Your data will not be disclosed to any third parties without your consent or as otherwise allowed by the relevant Data Protection legislation and will only be used for responding to your query (or purposes associated with that purpose).

You have the right to be informed about what data we hold about you along with other rights set out in the legislation. Further information about your rights under the data protection legislation can be found at www.ico.org.uk

For more details see our Privacy Policy

Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

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

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.

Read more cases

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.

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 LondonBirmingham 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:

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.

  • Umar Zeb
      • Umar Zeb
      • Senior Partner - Head of Private Client Crime
      • 020 7624 7771
      • View profile
  • Lisa Nicol
      • Lisa Nicol
      • Managing Partner - Head of Crime & Serious Cases
      • 020 7624 771
      • View profile
  • James O'Donnell
      • 020 762 47771
      • View profile
  • Sanjay Cholera
      • 020 7624 7771
      • View profile
  • Peter Mulhearn
      • 0207 624 7771
      • View profile
  • Danny Parkash
      • 0207 624 7771
      • View profile
  • Mimma Sabato
      • 0207 624 7771
      • View profile
  • Richard Souper
      • 0207 624 7771
      • View profile
  • Jonathan Lynn
      • 0207 624 7771
      • View profile
  • Samuel Oduntan
      • 0207 624 7771
      • View profile
  • Barry Linnane
      • 0207 624 7771
      • View profile
  • Stuart Lloyd
      • 020 7624 7771
      • View profile
  • Robert Wong
      • 020 7624 7771
      • View profile
  • Maeve Carroll
      • View profile
  • Rebecca Forbes
      • 0161 835 1638
      • View profile