Skill and Expertise in the Most Serious Criminal Defence Cases

HSR Solicitors work hard to obtain the best results possible for those we represent by influencing and challenging decisions from the first stage of a police station enquiry through to any subsequent trial and sentence

At HSR Solicitors we deal with all criminal cases, specialising in the most serious criminal cases. We are members of the Very High-Cost Cases (VHCC) panel which recognises our skill and expertise in the most serious criminal defence cases. Membership of the panel means that our criminal defence solicitors are able to undertake serious crime legal aid cases. We deal with clients nationwide who are searching for representation by solicitors with a high level of expertise and professionalism.

We offer 24-hour assistance in this area. We have solicitors on the Duty Solicitor Schemes (both with the Court and 24-hour police station services).

Our Criminal Law Team is Available 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year

  • Advice and representation at Police Stations
  • Youth, Magistrates, Crown Court & Court of Appeal Representation.
  • Bail applications
  • Murder & Serious Violent Offences
  • Sexual Offences
  • Assaults
  • Theft & Robbery
  • Drug Offences
  • Road Traffic Offences
  • Proceeds of Crime (POCA)
  • Serious Fraud

Emergency 24-hour call-out: 07534 504 999 or 07958 375 376

Police Station Representation

Suspects detained or questioned at police stations are entitled to free legal advice, regardless of your financial circumstances.

Free specialist Advice

At HSR Solicitors we are available 24/7 to provide advice and help if you are arrested and questioned by the police. It is important that you are looked after at this early stage. If you are arrested out of our office hours inform the police that you want to speak to HSR Solicitors and they have to contact us and we will speak with you or attend upon you if you are in custody. This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

We will find out what evidence the police have against you. We will advice you of your rights and options, explain the law surrounding the charges, instructions and responses to questions that will be asked during the interview as well as explaining police station procedures. We will then attend police interviews with you to ensure you are treated fairly. Don’t go into an interview without us!

Magistrates Court Representation

All proceedings begin here. Matters such as road traffic offences, theft and minor assaults can be dealt with in this court. For more serious offences you will first appear in the Magistrates Court and then your case will be transferred to the Crown Court (see the Crown Court section).

If we represent you at the police station we will continue to do so at court. However, if we did not you can still instruct us.

If you are charged in front of the Magistrates Court you will benefit from our specialist advice and representation. Our solicitors will ensure you understand the offence with which you have been charged. They will advise you on the strength of the evidence, take instructions from you and advise you on any available defences prior to a plea being entered. If you decide to plead guilty we will mitigate on your behalf to ensure you get the least possible penalty. If you plead not guilty we will prepare your case for trial including seeing your witness and ultimately will represent you at the trial hearing.

You can obtain public funding formerly known as Legal Aid may be available depending on your financial means and the nature of the charges. We will assist in making an application for a Legal Aid Order.

Youth Court

All young people between the age of 10 and 17 years who are charged or summonsed with a criminal offence will initially appear before the Youth Court. We provide advice and representation for every stage of those proceedings and our solicitors will advise on the different sentencing options available in the Youth Court and those offences that are too serious to remain in the Youth court and will proceed to the Crown Court.

This is a complex and ever-changing area of law and the right advice at an early stage can have life-changing implications.

We will advise clients on the most suitable form of funding. Funding for Magistrates Court work is often available through legal aid or on a private fee basis.

Crown Court

More serious charges are ultimately passed on to the Crown Court both for trial and for sentencing. It is not unusual for Crown Court matters to run for a number of months, sometimes even years, and our dedicated team will work tirelessly throughout to ensure that your case is prepared to the highest standard so that the best possible result is achieved consistent with your instructions.

HSR Solicitors will keep you updated and informed throughout the legal proceedings and we will advise you on whether to plead guilty or not guilty. If you are convicted, we will see your case through to the end and we will discuss the possibility of going to the Court of Appeal if your sentence is excessive. We specialise in post-trial matters such as confiscation orders which deal with what happens to your assets if you do get convicted. We will continue to support you should any of this happen to you.

Legal Aid

Legal Aid is available to cover the costs of providing advice and representation in respect of advising at a Police Station. Legal Aid may be available to cover the costs of providing advice and representation at the Magistrates Court in relation to criminal prosecutions, subject to an individual’s means, and whether it is considered that the case merits the grant of Legal Aid.

Legal Aid representation before the Crown Court is not the subject of a means test, although the Court may make an Order under the Recovery of Defence Costs Orders where a guilty plea or conviction results. Cases of a more serious nature come before the Crown Court, therefore most cases are considered sufficiently serious to merit the grant of Legal Aid.

We assist clients in the completion of Legal Aid Applications and the provision of all necessary documentation in support of such applications.