Have you been on the receiving end of a court summons or been charged with an offence? Being taken to court can be a frightening experience especially if it is the first time you have stepped into a court room or had to make a court appearance.
By selecting a solicitor from the Solicitor Search Network you will be able to find a Magistrate’s court solicitor with significant experience in your location. Unless you have been to court before you may not know the usual court procedures and/or the complex legal terminology used. A courtsolicitors.co.uk solicitor will assist you through the whole procedure of going to court and provide guidance on how the hearing will take place, ways in which to conduct yourself in court as well as a thorough explanation of the language/terms used.
From the moment you appoint a court solicitor they will endeavour to work on your behalf exploring all avenues of information that will help in defending you, proving innocence or help to reduce the sentence.
Your court solicitor will discuss the type of offence you been charged/summonsed with and how you wish to plead. Given that the Magistrate’s court has limited judiciary powers, depending on the seriousness of the offence and how you wish to plea will determine the number of visits you make to a Magistrate’s court. For example, if charged with a “summons-only” offence for a minor motoring offence or being in a brawl – a guilty plea will result in a sentence (after deliberation by the Magistrates) of anything from a fine, community service, compensation or a custodial sentence of up to six months for a single offence (maximum of 12 months for more than one offence). Where you plead not guilty this will mean you returning to the Magistrate’s court to permit the prosecution time to prepare their witnesses and for your solicitor to help you with preparation of your defence. However if the case is considered more serious it can be referred to a Crown Court by the Magistrates.
By consulting with a court solicitor you will be advised as to whether you could claim via Legal Aid for help paying your legal representation and related costs, of course this will be dependent on your circumstances. Otherwise you will be informed whether a fixed fee applies. Good legal representation is worth paying for and could improve the outcome.
