Serious Charges Demand Serious Preparation
When a case reaches Crown Court, the allegations are serious and the consequences are real. A jury decides your outcomeand success in court starts with the preparation we do in advance.
Defending You in the Crown Court
Cases reach the Crown Court either because the charges are too serious for the Magistrates' Court (such as murder, manslaughter, armed robberyor large-scale fraud) or because you have chosen a jury trial. The prosecution will have dedicated teams working to build a case against you.
We work systematically from day one to tear that case apart:
- Scrutinising every piece of evidence: We don't just read the prosecution's statements; we challenge how evidence was obtained, whether search warrants were legaland if police followed proper procedure.
- Demanding full disclosure: The police often hold back material that doesn't help their case. We relentlessly pursue unused material, phone downloadsand CCTV that supports your defence.
- Instructing leading defence barristers: We maintain long-standing relationships with the country’s top criminal defence chambers, hand-picking the right barrister to present your defence to the jury.
- Bringing in independent forensic experts: From cell site analysis and DNA evidence to forensic accountants and phone data specialists, we instruct our own experts to counter the prosecution's claims.
What to Expect at Crown Court Hearings
A Crown Court case unfolds in clear stages. We prepare you thoroughly for every appearance so you know what is happening and what to expect:
- Plea & Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH): Your first Crown Court appearance, where pleas are entered, bail is reviewedand a timetable is set for trial preparation.
- Pre-Trial Applications: We make strategic applications to throw out inadmissible evidence, exclude hearsayor apply to dismiss charges where the evidence is insufficient.
- The Jury Trial: Your defence barrister and our litigation team work side-by-side in court, cross-examining prosecution witnesses and presenting your side clearly and persuasively to the twelve jurors.
Bail Applications in the Crown Court
If bail was refused in the Magistrates' Court, you do not have to remain in custody while waiting months for trial. We regularly make urgent Crown Court bail applications (under the Bail Act 1976), presenting solid surety packages, address proposalsand medical or family arguments to secure your release.
Appeals Against Conviction or Sentence
If you were convicted or received an unfair sentence at the Magistrates' Court, you have an automatic right of appeal to the Crown Court, where a Crown Court Judge and two magistrates rehear your case. If you have already been sentenced at the Crown Court and wish to appeal to the Court of Appeal, we can review the trial records to identify grounds of appeal.