Criminal proceedings can often arise with no notice, take a long time to be processed and could potentially be quite expensive to defend yourself effectively.
Should you meet eligibility criteria, Legal Aid is available within the United Kingdom to support individuals with the legal costs associated with criminal proceedings.
Get legal representation as early as possible in the process to best defend yourself throughout all interviews and hearings. Find out how we can help.
Are you in need of
legal help?
What are the eligibility criteria?
Whether you qualify will depend on the type of case and your financial circumstances.
If you are under 16 (or under 18 and in full time education) you will automatically be eligible for legal aid for legal representation in court.
You have the right to free legal advice if you are questioned at a police station. This can take the form of a ‘duty solicitor’ – one of which will be available 24 hours a day and they are independent of the police.
We would however, recommend asking the police to make contact for you with your solicitor – or if you do not have one already – ask them to contact a named local company that specialises in criminal defence. A truly independent local solicitor, such as ourselves at Ann Blyth Cook & Co, who are able to provide you with a full comprehensive service from interview right through the criminal proceedings process, should your case get that far.
Once you have asked for legal advice, the police cannot question you until you have been provided with it – with some exceptions. The police can make you wait for legal advice in serious cases, but only if a senior officer agrees. The longest you can be made to wait before getting legal advice is 36 hours after arriving at a police station.
Learn more about the
Legal Process
If you or someone close to you are subject to criminal proceedings, it can be a stressful time. Click the button to learn more about the process.
What will legal aid cover?
If you quality, you could get:
- Advice on your rights and options
- Help with negotiations and paperwork
- Advice at a police station interview
- A Solicitor and/or Barrister to get your case ready and represent you in court.
How can I apply?
Speak to our team who will ask a few brief assessment questions to check your eligibility. You may be entitled for all or some of your costs to be covered, but our team will help consult with you on that process.
Engage legal representation early
It can never be too early in the process to engage the representation of a criminal defence solicitor. Even if you have just been interviewed by the police voluntarily – you may still be entitled to legal aid support.
If you aren’t sure where to turn, speak to our team today for a free initial consultation to confidentially discuss your situation.
HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED OR HAVE A PENDING COURT APPEARANCE?
Don’t risk not taking professional and confidential legal advice if you are facing criminal charges. You may be entitled to legal aid funding which will cover the costs and enable us to support you through your entire legal proceedings.