Criminal Solicitor Newcastle

Fraud allegations can be damaging for you as an individual or to your business. It is essential that you receive expert legal advice immediately and suitable action is taken without delay.
We regularly represent individuals and businesses in multi-million-pound fraud allegations, tax evasion, money laundering and mortgage and property fraud.

Our lawyers have extensive experience of dealing with the various agencies that conduct fraud investigations, such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) – (previously the Financial Services Authority (FSA)) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – and trading standards departments.

If you end up under investigation you could have you bank account or assets frozen under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 prior to being interviewed or taken to court. This will likely cause huge disruption to your day-to-day life or the running of your business. We have expertise in these types of cases, to remove or vary such orders, so that you can continue as usual whilst the investigation is ongoing.

We specialise in defending clients at all stages of money laundering investigations.

If you are prosecuted, we will proactively defend your case, thoroughly reviewing and challenging all the evidence to rebut any prosecution inferences. We have access to some of the most respected barristers and experts with specialist knowledge in wide ranging business areas to assist in the most complex and lengthy cases.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, investigating authorities can apply to restrain the assets of a company or an individual if they believe they are the proceeds of criminality. We have the experience and expertise to deal with these orders and have them either discharged or varied to enable you to continue with your business or day to day life.

Licensing:

Receiving advice at an early stage may avoid your certificate being revoked or not renewed. If revocation has already taken place, we may be able to negotiate with the police to see if they will reconsider their decision. If this is not possible then you can appeal to the crown court within 21 days of the decision.

We can assist with:

• Firearm and shotgun certificate application
• Advice on revocation or refusal of certificates
• Appeals against revocation of certificates
• Licensing for shooting clubs
• Firearms offences and penalties

Criminal:

We have considerable experience in offences relating to the illegal possession of firearms and imitation firearms, illegal conversion of weapons and possession of antique and de-activated weapons, the criminal use of firearms and poaching offences.
Firearms offences often attract lengthy prison sentences. If you are arrested, or are to be interviewed by the police on suspicion of a firearms offence, it is important you source expert legal advice immediately.

We understand how important your driving licence is and how losing it could have a damaging impact for both your job and your family.

Whether you have been charged or have received a notice of intended prosecution for a motoring or driving offence, we can assist you. We can take the stress and anxiety away by representing you at court and putting forward a strong defence or mitigation.

We have extensive experience in arguing ‘Special Reasons’ to avoid penalty points being endorsed on a driving licence or advancing ‘Exceptional Hardship’ arguments to avoid being disqualified under the courts totting-up provisions.

We are also able to apply to re-open matters where defendants have been convicted in their absence because they were unaware of the proceedings. This typically results in the penalty points or disqualification being set aside and an opportunity to put forward a defence or mitigation.

We strive to be as open and honest as possible about our fees. Costs for driving offences.

We have considerable experience in dealing with complex murder and manslaughter cases and provide a dedicated and dependable service. We also understand the effect such proceedings have on family members and the need for them to be kept up to date throughout the case as it progresses.

We have access to the most experienced Leading Counsel, Barristers and forensic experts and we will work together to secure the best possible outcome for you.

This is often a complex area of the law that requires discretion, understanding and sensitivity.
The social stigma, publicity and potential damage to reputation can be traumatic if you are the person being accused. We can provide expert advice and support you and your family when you need it most. Our priority is to achieve the best possible outcome whilst limiting any damage to your reputation.

Our lawyers specialise in representing those accused of the following allegations:

• Rape and sexual assault
• Historic sexual abuse
• Child abuse
• Internet offences such as indecent images and publication of private images
• Malicious communications
• Breaches or variations of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPOs), Sexual Risk Orders (SROs) and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs); and
• Issues relating to the Sex Offenders Register

We have a vast expertise in defending all types of drugs related offences – from those arrested for the possession of small quantities of drugs, through to complex and demanding multi-handed conspiracies involving multiple defendants. Recent experience in cases involving evidence derived from so called “encro-chat” mobile telephone phone devices has honed our expertise in drafting and presenting complicated legal arguments, ensuring those who instruct our firm are always properly and carefully represented.

Our Prison Law Contract with the Legal Aid Agency allows us to represent the interests of clients even after sentence. Mark Styles brings a huge depth of experience to the department, regularly representing those post sentence who face everything from contested parole hearings to determine their release, to internal disciplinary hearings for more minor disciplinary infractions.