Blog: Criminal Law
- Details
If you've been asked to attend a voluntary police interview, you might be unsure whether you really need a criminal defence solicitor. After all, the word "voluntary" makes it sound less serious. However, the truth is that these interviews are conducted under caution, meaning anything you say can later be used as evidence in court.
It is highly advisable to have an expert criminal defence solicitor for a voluntary police interview, even though it is not legally required. Having a solicitor ensures your rights are protected and that you don't unintentionally harm your position.
- Details
Facing a criminal allegation is an overwhelming experience. The decisions you make in choosing legal representation can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Whether you are being questioned at a police station or preparing for a court appearance, having the right criminal defence solicitor in London can provide peace of mind, expert guidance, and the best chance of success.
Selecting a solicitor isn't just about picking the first name that appears online. It's about choosing someone with the right experience, skills, and approach to support you through the process.
To choose the right criminal defence solicitor in London, ensure they are SRA regulated, experienced in cases like yours, and have positive client reviews. Also, ensure they are transparent on costs and communicate in a way that makes legal matters easy to understand.
In this guide, we break down the key factors you should consider and the practical steps you can take to find the right criminal defence solicitor in London for your circumstances.
- Details
Carrying a knife in the UK is taken very seriously, especially when it involves young people under 18. Anyone under 18 caught carrying a knife could face serious consequences, which may include a fine, a community sentence, or a custodial sentence.
Understanding the potential penalties, legal requirements, and ways to seek help is important for young people, parents, and guardians.
This guide provides a clear explanation of the laws, penalties, and practical advice for anyone under 18 involved in knife-related offences.
- Details
Being charged with a public order offence is stressful, but you don't have to face it alone. The most important step is to seek legal advice immediately. An experienced criminal defence solicitor can guide you through the process, protect your rights, and work to achieve the best outcome for your case.
If you've been charged with a public order offence, the first step is to stay calm and to contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors at 0203 959 7755 for expert legal advice.
- Details
If you are charged with a public order offence in the UK, you may be wondering what penalties you could face.
In the UK, sentences for a public order offence can range from fines and community orders to up to 10 years imprisonment, depending on the offence.
The sentence for a public order offence can vary widely depending on the type of offence, its severity, and any aggravating or mitigating factors. Understanding the possible outcomes is essential for protecting your rights and working with a criminal defence solicitor to achieve the best result.
- Details
If you've been charged with a public order offence, it's important to understand the differences between Section 4 and Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. While both relate to disruptive behaviour in public, they differ in intent, severity, and potential consequences. Knowing the distinctions can help you and your solicitor build a strong defence.
The primary difference is that Section 4 causes fear of immediate violence, while Section 5 covers threatening or abusive behaviour causing alarm or distress.
- Details
1. Introduction: What Does “Withdrawing a Statement” Mean?
When someone provides a statement to the police—often a victim, eyewitness, or other crucial witness—they formally give an account of events in writing or via recorded interview. This statement becomes a critical piece of evidence in a criminal investigation. “Withdrawing a statement” means that the individual later informs the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), or relevant authorities that they no longer stand by or wish to proceed with that statement. The phrase “I want to withdraw my statement” is commonly heard in domestic violence contexts, although it applies to various criminal allegations.
However, withdrawing a statement does not necessarily erase its existence from the case files. The police or CPS may still rely on the initial statement if they believe it’s credible or in the public interest to proceed. This is a frequent source of confusion: many people believe retracting or recanting automatically ends the prosecution. In reality, the effect of withdrawal is more nuanced.
- Details
Stalking is more than just unwanted attention, and it can be deeply distressing, frightening, and harmful. Whether you're being accused of stalking or you're seeking legal protection from it, understanding the behaviour and legal implications is essential.
In this blog, we'll explain the four main types of stalking, how they are identified, and why it's vital to get advice from experienced harassment and stalking defence solicitors if you're facing allegations.
- Details
Careless driving, often referred to as driving without due care and attention, is one of the most common driving offences in the UK. If someone reports you for careless driving, the implications can range from minor penalties like fines and points on your driving license to more serious consequences like driving bans, disqualification points toot up, renovations and court appearances.
This article will guide you through what happens if you are reported for careless driving, the legal processes involved, the penalties you may face, and what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.
- Details
When someone disappears unexpectedly, or if you believe a friend or family member may have run into trouble with the police, it’s natural to want to check whether they’ve been arrested and are in custody. The process, however, can be confusing, especially if you’ve never had to deal with the police before. This article covers various methods, key considerations, and practical steps to find out if someone has been arrested in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland (collectively referred to as the UK).
- Details
Domestic violence is treated with immense seriousness within the UK criminal justice system. It encompasses physical harm, emotional abuse, coercive control, financial exploitation, or any pattern of abusive behaviors in a domestic context. When someone is arrested and charged with a domestic violence offence—whether it’s assault, harassment, stalking, or coercive control—the courts are particularly vigilant in protecting alleged victims, often imposing strict bail conditions.
Bail allows a charged individual to remain in the community rather than in custody, but it comes with obligations. For domestic violence charges, these obligations often include “no contact” conditions, location restrictions, curfews, or more. Breaking these conditions can carry significant penalties and often worsens the defendant’s overall legal position.
This article will explore how bail conditions arise in domestic violence cases, why they are implemented, and the serious consequences that follow if they are breached. We’ll delve into the legal frameworks, potential sentencing outcomes, real-life scenarios of violation, and how best to handle a breach accusation. Finally, we’ll outline how a solicitor—especially a dedicated team like Moeen & Co. Solicitors—can support individuals in navigating or defending against allegations of bail breaches.
- Details
In the UK, the police have various methods of questioning individuals suspected of—or holding useful information about—potential criminal activity. While an arrest is more formal, a voluntary police interview is another, sometimes less confrontational mechanism. This can be confusing, especially when people wonder, “If the police only asked me for a voluntary interview, does that mean they don’t have enough evidence to charge me?”
The reality is more nuanced. A voluntary police interview doesn’t necessarily signal lack of evidence. It might mean the police are still gathering additional details or giving you a chance to explain yourself before deciding on a formal charge. Alternatively, it could be strategic, aiming to elicit information without placing you under the extra pressure of being arrested—or to keep you off guard.
In this article, we’ll tackle how voluntary interviews work in UK policing, what it means for evidence thresholds, how they differ from arrests, your rights and legal protections, possible outcomes, and other aspects. We’ll also address how you can navigate a voluntary interview if approached by the police, and why seeking legal advice is still wise, even if the tone is less formal than an arrest scenario.
- Details
Speeding is one of the most common motoring offences in the UK. Whether it’s due to rushing to meet a deadline, underestimating a new speed limit, or simply a lapse in attention, drivers often find themselves facing letters, fines, penalty points, or even disqualification when caught exceeding the limit. While speeding is relatively common, the consequences can be more severe than many realise—especially if your circumstances (like repeated offences or extremely high speeds) escalate the matter to court.
This article explores the legal background of speeding offences, how the authorities enforce speed limits, the types of penalties you can receive (including fines, points, courses, or disqualification), and what to do if you end up in court. We’ll also examine the role of solicitors, focusing on how Moeen & Co. Solicitors can provide expert support and representation. By understanding the process, possible outcomes, and the best strategies to defend or mitigate speeding allegations, you’ll be better placed to protect your license and finances.
- Details
Being arrested is a distressing experience, whether you’re the one facing the situation or a family member or friend trying to help. Once the police arrest someone, they lose some of their freedoms—at least temporarily—and enter a complicated legal process where missteps can have serious consequences. Knowing what to do, how to respond, and where to get help can enormously affect the outcome.
This blog aims to break down the key steps and considerations once someone is arrested at a police station, explaining the rights of the person in custody, the role of legal support, the typical police procedures, and strategies to ensure the best possible resolution. We’ll also clarify exactly how our firm can step in, from providing immediate representation during interviews to guiding individuals through post-release questions about bail, charging decisions, or “no further action” outcomes.
- Details
A voluntary police interview is when the police ask you to come in and talk with them, typically because they believe you have information related to an investigation. You are not under arrest, and you’re free to leave at any time. However, you should not view this as a casual conversation. It’s still a formal procedure that can impact your future, especially if the discussion steers towards suggesting you had some involvement in a crime.
During a voluntary police interview, the police’s goal might be to gather evidence, clarify details, or possibly confirm or dispel their suspicions about you. They may ask direct questions about events, people, objects, or your whereabouts. Understanding the types of questions commonly asked can help you recognise what’s going on, protect your rights, and avoid inadvertently incriminating yourself.
You have the right to have a solicitor present, even if you’re not arrested. This ensures you understand the implications of what you’re being asked and can receive guidance on when to answer or remain silent.
Below are 20 example questions police might ask during a voluntary interview, along with insights into their purpose, what the answers might imply, and how you might handle them.
- Details
Police interviews, whether voluntary or after arrest, can feel tense and uncertain. Throughout the interview, you’re typically on the receiving end of questions. However, when the police have finished questioning you, you may have the opportunity to ask some questions of your own. Doing so can clarify what’s happening, understand your position, and prepare you for what comes next.
Asking the right questions at the end of a police interview can help you:
-
Get a sense of where you stand.
-
Understand what will happen after you leave the station.
-
Learn if and when you’ll need to return or provide further information.
-
Recognize if you’re at risk of being charged.
-
Get clarity on any bail conditions, if applicable.
This article will cover why asking questions is beneficial, what types of questions you might consider, how to frame them, and potential outcomes of getting those answers. We’ll provide a list of possible questions and discuss what information they can yield, always bearing in mind that you have the right to legal representation throughout this process.
- Details
In England and Wales, the criminal justice system distinguishes between summary offences (usually minor), either-way offences (which can be tried in the Magistrates’ or Crown Court), and indictable offences (more serious crimes tried in the Crown Court). While not using the term “felony,” some offences are inherently more serious and carry severe potential consequences, including lengthy prison sentences. Being charged with such a serious offence—be it assault causing serious harm, a significant drug-related charge, or financial misconduct—is an incredibly stressful experience.
But what if you go through the stress of being charged, only to not be convicted in the end? Perhaps the case is dropped due to insufficient evidence, or a jury finds you not guilty. You escape the harsh sentence and criminal record that come with a conviction. Yet, you might still face questions: what traces remain, how does this affect future job prospects, and can you clear your name?
This article breaks down what it means to be charged but not convicted under UK law, what potential outcomes look like, how it may still appear on records, whether you can get it removed, and what practical steps to take post-case. While not as severe as carrying a conviction, being charged with a serious crime can still have lingering effects. Let’s explore these aspects in detail.
- Details
When it comes to dealing with the police, one situation that often causes confusion is the voluntary police interview. Unlike being arrested and taken into custody, a voluntary police interview might feel less intimidating. However, its outcomes can still have serious consequences. If you’ve been invited to one—or are simply curious about how they work—this guide will walk you through the process and potential outcomes in straightforward, easy-to-understand language.
Let’s break it all down.
- Details
Possession of a bladed article is a serious criminal offence in England and Wales. Over recent decades, increasing concern about knife crime has led lawmakers, courts, and law enforcement to treat these offences with a strict and often unforgiving approach. Unlike many crimes which require proof of intent, carrying a knife in public places without a lawful reason can result in severe consequences even if there was no intention to use the blade harmfully.
In essence, if you are caught with a knife or other bladed item in a public place, you risk arrest, charges, potential imprisonment, and a criminal record that could affect your future prospects. This article provides an in-depth overview of the legal framework surrounding the possession of a bladed article, the nature of such offences, possible defences, what to expect if you are arrested, and the sentencing principles applied by the courts.
We’ll start by looking at the laws governing bladed articles, what exactly constitutes a bladed article, how courts interpret terms like “public place,” and what the prosecution must prove. We then explore common defences—such as lawful authority or good reason—and the implications of these defences. After that, we discuss how police handle such cases, possible outcomes including cautions and charges, the sentencing guidelines that courts follow, and finally, offer some practical advice for anyone facing allegations related to possession of a bladed article.
- Details
Being arrested for possession of a knife is a serious matter in England and Wales. In recent years, concerns about knife crime have grown, prompting lawmakers, law enforcement, and communities to take a stricter stance. If you find yourself detained by the police for carrying a blade, you may be frightened, confused, and unsure about what to do next.
This article aims to guide you through every aspect of this process. We will discuss the legal implications of knife possession, what to expect at the time of arrest and in police custody, the types of charges you could face, the possible defences, and the sentencing framework. We will also address what to tell the police, how to best safeguard your rights, and the importance of seeking legal advice.
Whether the knife was discovered during a stop-and-search on the street, found in your car, or at home, understanding your rights and responsibilities is crucial. An informed approach can help you navigate the criminal justice system more confidently, increase your chances of a fair resolution, and reduce the stress associated with such a situation.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.