Pre-Charge Advice

Being under investigation

Many people are arrested and interviewed in connection with criminal offences – often relatively minor matters, though not always. They are then left under police investigation for a very long period of time.

Legal aid and the police station

Legal aid is available to most people at the police station, and we make all our clients aware of their right to free legal advice when they are interviewed. However, legal aid at this stage has two important limitations.

You do not choose your adviser. Under the duty scheme, an adviser is appointed for you. The quality of that advice can vary enormously. You may be represented by a partner of a firm or a highly experienced criminal lawyer — or you may be represented by someone at the very start of their career.

There is usually no follow-up. Legal aid pays a fixed fee covering the police station interview. As a general rule, it does not pay for advice after that. It has been our consistent experience that clients find the follow-up service after the initial interview extremely poor, and that they are left with multiple questions that are simply never answered.

The result is that many people are left in the dark — anxious, without information, and often on police bail for very long periods.

Bail conditions

Police bail conditions can be onerous, particularly in cases involving domestic disputes. They may exclude you from the family home or from your place of residence, and they may prevent you from contacting people you are close to.

The two questions we are most often asked

Clients in this position usually want to know two things:

1. Can this matter be dropped, or dealt with more quickly?

2. Can my bail conditions be removed or relaxed in the meantime?

Both questions ultimately need to be answered by an independent lawyer looking at the facts of your case. But we would rather be candid with you about what is realistically achievable.

Can the investigation be speeded up?

Commonly, there is little that can be done to force the police to investigate a matter more quickly. Lawyers do not normally have the power to compel this, and the courts do not generally supervise the pace of police investigations.

That said, investigations can sometimes be progressed by the defence taking the initiative and serving material on the police — either to move the investigation along or to persuade them to drop it altogether. This is not limited to additional witness evidence. Phone analysis can be valuable, as can other material available to a suspect that tends to show the investigation is futile.

Can bail conditions be changed?

In certain circumstances, an application can be made to the court to vary unduly onerous bail conditions.

How we can help

We do not offer legal aid. And we cannot tell you, without looking at your case, whether any of these remedies would be suitable for you.

What we can say is that Gavin Edmondson Solicitors has genuine experience of police investigations and criminal trials. And we frequently undertake work aimed at easing the burden of being under investigation — answering the questions that go unanswered and pressing your case where there is something to be pressed.

Contact Us

At Gavin Edmondson Solicitors, we understand that taking the first step can feel difficult. But obtaining early legal advice can provide valuable clarity and reassurance.

From your initial enquiry through to the resolution of your case, we will keep you informed and supported throughout the process.

To speak with a qualified solicitor today, contact Gavin Edmondson Solicitors. We are happy to answer your questions, discuss your concerns, and help you understand the next steps.

Call or complete our online enquiry form

Get in touch to arrange a consultation on pre-charge advice from our solicitors in Northwich, Cheshire.

Tel: 01606 811700

Email: info@gesols.co.uk

Need Pre Charge Advice? We cover the Following Areas

If you need pre charge advice, our qualified solicitors cover Northwich, Cheshire, Warrington, Chester, Crewe, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Wilmslow, Knutsford, Nantwich, and Alderley Edge.