Criminal Defence Solicitors

MPR Solicitors have a wealth of high-level experience in criminal defence.  As a specialist and niche practice, dealing almost exclusively in criminal defence we have the in-depth knowledge and experience a more general legal practice may lack.

To contact us regarding our criminal defence service, please call our office on 020 3824 8080 to see how we can help you.

Our goal at MPR Solicitors is to provide the best criminal defence service to clients in London and the UK, with an emphasis on quality of service and client care.  We have a dedicated team of criminal defence solicitors and lawyers based in London, specialising in all aspects of criminal law.  In addition to providing exceptional legal advice and representation, our team deliver the highest quality 24-hour police station representation available.

We provide 24 hour free representation at the police station as well as the full range of services at the Magistrates Court and Crown Court. Although we are based in London our solicitors will cover criminal cases throughout England and Wales.

Why instruct our criminal defence solictors

At MPR you can be guaranteed to receive the best quality representation at each stage of your case. Our criminal defence solicitors will work with you in order to fully prepare your case and put forward a positive case at court. We take a pro-active approach in the way we will defend our cases so as to get the best outcome for our clients.

Criminal defence is the cornerstone of our practice, meaning we have unrivalled expertise and experience to ensure our clients receive the best possible defence.  Our solicitors are smart, friendly, with an in-depth understanding of criminal law.  We are different from many typical criminal firms of solicitors in that our Senior Partner is a barrister with a vast experience in defending in the full range of criminal trials including the most serious and complex trials. In consequence the ethos of our firm is driven by the focus on ‘the trial’ and preparing for it to get the best possible result.

You can rely on us to get you the best possible outcome if you have been charged with a crime.

Our Criminal Defence Expertise

If you are facing a criminal charge, it is imperative that you seek immediate legal advice to ensure your rights are protected.  A delay in doing so could irreparably damage your defence.  If you have been taken to a police station, we can attend any interviews with you, ensuring your rights are protected and you do not say anything that would prejudice your defence. 

We appear in the Magistrates' Courts, the Crown Courts, the Court of Appeal and the High Court on a regular basis.  We can provide the best legal advice and representation from the beginning of a criminal matter through to trial.  Our team can assist you with the following:

How do criminal trials work in England?

If a crime is discovered or reported, the police will investigate it.  However, it is the CPS that ultimately decides whether the person charged with the crime will be prosecuted.  Their decision whether or not to prosecute is based on two tests; whether there is enough evidence to prove the case, and whether it is in the public interest to bring the case to court.

If the case goes to trial, the magistrate or judge will familiarise themselves with the facts of the matter by reviewing the documents provided by the CPS and the criminal defence solicitor.  These include the indictment which sets out the charges brought by the CPS, witness statements and exhibits (such as the weapon used in a grievous bodily harm charge).

In a jury trial, the judge oversees the selection of the jury and provides them with direction on matters of law.

Once the trial is underway, both the prosecution and criminal defence lawyers will have the opportunity to present their case.  The judge will manage the proceedings, ensuring they are conducted fairly.  Once all the evidence is heard, the judge will sum up.  The judge sets out for the jury the law on each of the charges made and what the prosecution must prove for the jury to find the defendant guilty.

If a guilty verdict is returned, the judge will sentence the defendant.  When delivering a sentence, the judge will consider the circumstances of the offence, the impact on the victim and sentencing guidelines (either provided by the Sentencing Council or from previous case law).

Our criminal defence service will ensure you receive the best quality advice and representation at each stage of your matter.  We will work with you to fully prepare your defence, taking a pro-active approach to establishing you in the best possible light to the judge and jury.

Where are criminal trials held?

Criminal cases come to court following a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decision that there is enough evidence to prosecute a person for an alleged crime.  Ninety-five percent of criminal cases are heard before magistrates and they, as a panel, decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent.  Sometimes cases are tried by a single magistrate, called a district judge, who is a lawyer. 

More serious cases are heard in the Crown Court and this will always be with a judge and a jury. 

Our criminal defence lawyers provide 24-hour free representation at the police station as well as the full range of services at the Magistrates Court, and Crown Court. Although we are based in London, our solicitors will cover criminal defence cases throughout England and Wales.

What is the standard of proof in a criminal case?

Beyond reasonable doubt was formally used to describe the standard of proof required in criminal cases.  Nowadays, a judge will direct a jury that they must be “satisfied so that they are sure” the defendant is guilty of the offence they are charged with.

It is our job, as criminal defence lawyers, to place doubt in the jury or magistrate’s mind as to whether you committed the offence/s you have been accused of. 

When instructing us, you can be confident in your understanding of the legal process and the tactics we and your barrister will employ to present your case in the most positive light.  This is because we will explain everything to you, seeking your full agreement to the strategies we deploy.

Experience has taught us that by focusing on quality, legal knowledge, and client care, we can deliver the best results for our clients.

Can a criminal case be appealed?

If you have been found guilty of a criminal offence by any Court, you have a right to appeal your conviction, the sentence or both.  You must receive permission from the court to appeal and if leave is granted your barrister will present your appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Our criminal defence team have experience in bringing appeals to the highest courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.   Our knowledge and experience means we can swiftly advise on a case and if the necessary grounds exist we can apply for leave and present a robust argument designed to have your conviction overturned or sentence reduced. We will ensure your application to appeal is made within the strict time limits which apply and create a strong argument to present to the appellant court.

Let our team provide the advice, support and representation you need when faced with a serious criminal charge.

If you have been accused of committing a criminal offence, please call us immediately on 020 3824 8080 or fill in our contact form to get in touch.