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18 Jul 2024

Securing expert legal advice as soon as possible is vital when faced with a serious sexual offence charge. Everyone has the right to legal representation and it’s crucial to take advantage of that right at your earliest opportunity. An accusation of a serious crime such as rape or sexual assault can have serious consequences for your reputation and could affect employment opportunities, your social circle, and your standing within the community, regardless of whether you are found guilty in a court of law.

A solicitor ensures you receive the legal advice and representation you deserve. Using their legal knowledge and expertise, your solicitor will do all that they can to get the result you deserve. Solicitors fulfil several roles when handling a case, dedicating themselves to delivering the assistance that their client needs. They don’t just work alone but are also supported by other expert solicitors, paralegals, and others who work together as a team to get the right result for the client.

If you have been charged with a serious sexual offence, it’s important to understand the role a qualified solicitor can play in helping you mount a robust defence.

Providing expert legal advice

Solicitors can provide expert legal advice throughout the case for anyone facing allegations of serious sexual offences. From providing advice during police interviews to advising on the best plea to give against charges, your solicitor will ensure you receive the best advice based on their legal knowledge and experience of the system. They will take the time to listen to your side of the story and help you make the best decisions to respond to the crime you have been charged with in the right way.

It is also the role of a solicitor to inform you of your legal rights and responsibilities. They will help you to understand the possible consequences of the charge you are facing and help ensure you are treated fairly. This could involve moves such as challenging evidence that was obtained without following the correct procedures or objecting to prejudicial lines of questioning during the trial.

Solicitors have a duty to maintain confidentiality at all times. They must keep any information about the client and their case private, which is particularly important when the client is facing allegations in relation to serious sexual offences. Solicitors must be sure to communicate with the clients clearly and ensure they understand everything they are told to put them in the best position to know their rights and their options.

Legal representation

Solicitors can represent their clients in court proceedings and help ensure you have the best defence available. They often work closely with barristers and other legal professionals in the course of building a strong defence case, and they may liaise with court officials and other legal professionals in court.

Solicitors working in criminal defence will carry out tasks such as completing paperwork for bail and appeal applications. It’s their duty to make sure all legal procedures are carried out correctly and that their client’s rights are respected. If necessary, a criminal solicitor may work to negotiate plea deals to help the client get the best possible result. This can help by reducing the charges or the consequences that the defendant faces.

Solicitors navigate complex legal procedures and act as liaison between the client and the court system. They communicate with court officials such as judges and bailiffs on behalf of the client, ensuring all messages are conveyed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Conducting investigations

Part of the role of a criminal solicitor is carrying out thorough investigations. They spend time scrutinising evidence, arranging witnesses and experts, and completing other tasks that help to create a full picture of the facts.

Using their investigative skills and problem-solving skills, your solicitor will research the information they have been given and take steps to try and uncover new information to support your case. Additionally, they can work closely with legal professionals such as private investigators or forensic experts to ensure they have the best information and have truly scrutinised the relevant facts.

Solicitors will spend time researching similar cases too. This can reveal important information about the likely result of the case or which defences to that particular crime have been successful in the past. They will look up the rules and statutes that relate to the crime and examine whether they will be useful in creating the best defence.

Crafting strategic defence strategies

Another part of the role of a criminal defence solicitor is to challenge the prosecution’s assertions and mount the best defence both in and out of court. Experienced solicitors are familiar with all of the valid defences to charges of sexual crimes and can determine which will be more successful in any given case.

The solicitor will meticulously examine all of the evidence in the case and prepare the best defence strategy based on the evidence both for and against you. This includes ensuring they are prepared to cross-examine witnesses. They will put questions to the witnesses that help to uncover the truth and ensure the witnesses are being honest and accurate to the best of their ability. They will question potential inconsistencies in witness statements and may use expert witnesses to give their professional opinion.

During the trial, a solicitor will present the case they have built to provide a robust defence. They will aim to clear the defendant of all charges where possible or, if the defendant is found guilty, they will take steps to try and reduce the sentence and ensure it’s fair and proportionate to the crime.

Being charged with a crime of a sexual nature can affect your life significantly, whether you are found guilty in court or not. Instructing a solicitor is a must if you wish to have the very best defence provided for you and to receive expert legal advice. Speak to a solicitor as soon as possible when you are faced with the possibility of being charged or have been charged with a serious sexual offence.