There are many actions a person can take or neglect to take which can result in criminal charges being pressed against them. It can be scary and make you angry to have such charges pending against you. How you handle it is going to determine many things in your life. A criminal record can make it very hard to get a good job. You may owe fines or have to spend time in jail. That isn’t the life you had in mind for yourself.
You may feel like everything is falling apart right in front of your eyes. You don’t have to go through this alone, though. Finding the very best criminal solicitors in London to take your case is important. You need solid representation so you aren’t at the mercy of the courts. Find representation willing to listen to you and to take the case to trial if necessary.
Expertise
It is essential you find someone with the right expertise in the area of law you have a problem with. They should be able to fully interpret it and create a defence for you. Hopefully, the charges can be dropped based on a lack of evidence or a lack of laws to continue with them. That is what a good solicitor is going to try to do.
If they aren’t able to go that route based on evidence and circumstances, they can try to get the charges reduced. This can reduce the sentence which will be imposed. It may take the case from a felony level to a misdemeanour level.
A plea bargain may be on the table if you agree to lesser charges. The prosecution may agree to this if you have good character and you don’t have a lengthy criminal history. There won’t be any trial that takes place if you agree to the terms and conditions of such an agreement.
Taking It to Trial
If your decision is to fight the charges completely and to maintain your innocence, you may need to go through a trial. This can be tough emotionally, and you need to be well prepared. You need to find representation you can trust and will listen to. You need to feel confident they can make a good impression in the courts and that they can create a very good defence for you.
The trial can last for several days, weeks, or months. It depends on the circumstances, evidence, and the number of witnesses each side calls in to testify. Anytime you have criminal charges in place, you have to be ready for anything to happen. The right representation allows you to know where you stand, your options, and to ask questions about the legal proceedings and processes.
Understanding the flow of the processing can help to reduce your stress and anxiety. You should always be involved in the decision-making process of your legal team. They are the experts, but they also will give you a say in how you wish for them to proceed on your behalf in the courts.