What is the role of a criminal defence lawyer?

January 11, 2023| admin| 0 Comment| 1:02 pm

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Criminal defence lawyers are tasked with representing those who have been accused of criminal offences, ranging from minor crimes all the way to murder.

As a qualified criminal lawyer, they are fully authorised to deal with criminal crimes of any kind, although most will specialise as criminal law is still a very broad field.

If you have recently been charged with a criminal offence and are on the search for legal representation you may be wondering exactly what it is that a criminal lawyer can do for you and how to go about finding someone suitable.

This guide is designed to give you all the information that you need on what exactly a criminal lawyer does, the different types of criminal lawyer in the UK, and what to expect when meeting with them for the first time.

Types of criminal lawyers

To break it down into the simplest possible terms there are two criminal lawyers involved in the majority of criminal cases, a defence attorney, and a prosecutor.

As a defendant, it is the job of the defence attorney to represent you in the best way possible, build a strong defence, discredit the prosecution’s case against you, and look to secure the most favourable outcome possible whether in court or via a settlement agreement.

The prosecutor, on the other hand, is tasked with proving your guilt.

Your defence lawyer does not only represent you in court but will guide you through the entire process, providing advice, support, and ensuring that you have realistic expectations of the likely outcomes that are possible.

To have the best chance of a successful defence, make sure that you get in touch with a criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible after being charged with a criminal offence, or even better make sure that you already have representation in place if you expect to be charged in the near future.

Having a lawyer to call when you are arrested can be extremely useful as they will be able to be at your side and represent you in police interviews.

The moment they have all the information regarding your case from you, they will begin to prepare a case for the defence, questioning witnesses and analysing all the available evidence to ensure that no detail is missed.

Meeting with a criminal lawyer for the first time

The initial consultation you have with a criminal lawyer is vital.

This meeting will give you a good idea if you want to hire them as your representation and work out if you will have a good working relationship.

It is very important that you ask any questions that you have at this stage.

Some of the best questions to ask in an initial criminal lawyer consultation include:

What is your field of expertise?
What is your fee structure? – Any lawyer unable to provide you with a clear picture of what fees they will charge for each service they provide should be avoided.
How long do you expect the process to take?
What information do you need from me?
Who is part of the team who will be working on my case?
How often will we meet?
How can I get in touch if I need advice?

The more information that your lawyer has from the very start the more time they will have to build a strong defence.

Ahead of your initial meeting they may ask you to prepare some documents regarding the incident in question to bring with you on the day.

Even if they do not ask specifically, take along anything that you think may be relevant.

You can take a family member, or friend, along to your meeting although they will probably have to leave the room at some point as your lawyer will wish to speak with you alone to avoid embarrassment that may obscure the full facts and maintain attorney-client privilege.

If you have a witness or witnesses to the incident, they can also attend the meeting, or take their details with you so the lawyer can contact them in the future.

It is completely normal to be anxious before meeting a criminal lawyer but bear in mind that this is what they do for a living and any nerves or emotions that you have they will have seen in plenty of other clients in the past.

How to find a suitable Criminal Lawyer

The best way to start your search for a Criminal Defense Lawyer is by looking for those who specialise in defending their clients from similar charges to the ones that you are facing.

A good way to judge their reputation is by looking at online reviews or through word of mouth with family and friends but you will never really know if they are compatible with your needs until you speak to them in person so make a shortlist of potential options and go from there.

What to do if accused of assault UKWhat to do if accused of assault UK

The first thing to do if facing a serious assault charge Scotland is to seek legal advice from a criminal lawyer.

You should also take the time to research and understand the charges that are against you and the process that you will have to go through if the case progresses.

Assault is a very serious allegation to face, with a maximum sentence of many years imprisonment so it is crucial that you take the situation seriously. It is also a term that actually refers to a number of different specific charges but in general can be defined as an action that inflicts intentional or reckless harm to another person.

In the UK, there are 4 main types of assault that you can be charged with depending on the severity of the harm that is done to the victim and the motivation behind the incident.

These are:

Battery

The most minor of physical assault charges, often brought alongside common assault charges. The distinguishing factor between the two is that if a person believes that they may be under threat of harm they can be considered a victim of common assault, whilst physical harm is required for a charge of battery.

Common assault

Common assault is, as you can probably guess, the most common type of assault charge in the UK. This is no surprise as there doesn’t even ned to be physical contact for an assault charge to be levelled and merely the threat of harm could result in a conviction. As such, the potential penalties for a common assault conviction are less severe that with ABH or GBH charges. That said, custodial sentences are still possible, with a maximum potential sentence of one year’s imprisonment.

Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)

ABH covers assaults causing injuries that are more severe that battery but less permanent that GBH. The amount of harm that the perpetrator intended to do is irrelevant to ABH charges. As long as they intended to do unlawful harm the extent of the injury and not the intent will be the important factor in ABH cases.

For example, punching someone who falls and hits their head on a curb could be adjudged as just as serious an assault as hitting someone’s head on a curb intentionally. There are extremely serious potential penalties for people who are charged with ABH even if the injuries sustained were accidental, with an unlimited fine or a 5 year prison sentence the maximum sentence available if the case is heard in a crown court.

Grievous Bodily harm (GBH)

The most serious of all assault charges and the one that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. These cases can only be heard in the crown court and if you are charged with a section 18 GBH offence and the victim later dies of the injuries that they sustained, the charges can be increased to man slaughter or even murder.

Injuries that constitute harm serious enough to be classed as GBH include stab wounds, injuries inflicted with another weapon, and even psychiatric injury. Being accused or charged with GBH is an extremely serious situation and it is absolutely vital to seek immediate legal representation. It is no exaggeration to say that choosing the right lawyer to represent you at this stage is a decision that will have major consequences for your future.

Things to do IMMEDIATELY when charged with assault

The instant that you are charged with an assault offence seek legal advice from a criminal defence solicitor highly trained in assault and battery cases. In fact, if you think there is the smallest chance that you may be accused or charged in the future, based on recent events or threats against you, get in touch with a lawyer or at least research some lawyers in your area who might be suitable.

Being naive and assuming that you won’t actually be charged could leave you unprepared when the worst happens and put you on the back foot from the very start.

Never speak to the police without your solicitor in the room with you and make sure to gather as much evidence as possible about the case. Emails, texts, photos, videos; anything that might be relevant to the events in question should be retained and given to your lawyer so that they can begin to build your defence. You should also make a list of any possible witnesses and put your lawyer in touch with them.

NEVER attempt to conceal evidence or withhold it, either because you think it may incriminate you or because you are embarrassed. This is not only illegal but if the evidence comes out later on in the case you will be putting your lawyer at a disadvantage and could compromise your own case.

Weight Loss Drops: An Alternative Approach to Achieving Your Weight Loss GoalsWeight Loss Drops: An Alternative Approach to Achieving Your Weight Loss Goals

Introduction: Weight loss drops have gained attention as an alternative approach to weight loss. In this blog, we will explore the concept of weight loss drops, how they work, and whether they can be effective in helping you achieve your weight loss goals.

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Supporting Weight Loss with Healthy Habits: Recognize that weight loss drops should be used as part of a comprehensive approach to weight loss. Focus on adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, and getting sufficient sleep. Weight loss drops can complement these healthy habits but should not replace them.
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Conclusion: Weight loss drops can be a viable option for individuals seeking an alternative approach to weight loss. However, it’s crucial to research their effectiveness, consider their integration into a healthy lifestyle, and prioritize safety. Remember that sustainable weight loss requires a holistic approach that encompasses various healthy habits.

Frozen Prawns: How to Properly Freeze Frozen PrawnsFrozen Prawns: How to Properly Freeze Frozen Prawns

Frozen prawns provide rich flavours and can be prepared using various cooking methods and dishes. However, one key consideration when dealing with frozen prawns is avoiding overcooking them to avoid creating rubbery and chewy textures that turn people away from eating these delicacies.

Microwaving frozen prawns delivery is not recommended as this allows water into their packaging, leading to uneven cooking and potentially dangerous bacteria growth. Therefore, cold water defrosting overnight is advised for optimal results.

How to freeze prawns

Freezing prawns is an excellent way to preserve them for future use, but proper freezing techniques must be observed to prevent spoilage or becoming soggy when packing them for storage. Packing the shrimp properly prior to freezing will also prevent freezer burn and ensure their freshness remains.

To effectively freeze prawns, they must first be cooked and completely cooled before being packaged into freezer-safe bags or containers. These packages must be packed tight to minimise air pockets to help avoid freezer burn. It’s also wise to label your bags or containers with the date that they were frozen so you know when it is best to use them and ensure no contamination from other food in the freezer occurs.

An alternative method of freezing prawns is making prawn risotto and freezing individual portions, then defrosting overnight in the refrigerator or warming gently on the stove – this makes for an easy and delicious way to save food waste while enjoying delicious meals.

Prawns can be frozen both with or without shells attached, although to maximise efficiency, it is recommended to remove their heads before freezing to ensure that they do not spoil in the freezer and to thoroughly rinse the tails to eliminate any enzyme formation in the meat. When choosing to have frozen prawns delivery in their shells, it is key that they do not overcook so they are easier to peel when thawed out.

How to defrost prawns

At markets, most so-called ‘fresh’ prawns are frozen before reaching consumers. Either they’ve been cooked in seawater before being stored on ice, or they were prepared at the fish market too quickly after leaving their boat (sometimes too quickly! ) before being frozen quickly before sale; either way, this process degrades cells, removes moisture, alters protein integrity and produces dry or overdone tasting prawns that should not be sold as fresh ones would. Frozen prawns also have greater bacteria-proneness compared with fresh ones, so be careful handling when handling frozen ones to prevent bacteria growth!

When defrosting frozen prawns, the best method is to place them in the refrigerator overnight. This method ensures they thaw slowly and evenly while minimising bacteria formation during this process.

How to store prawns

To properly defrost prawns, we advise using only cold water as hot or warm temperatures may speed up the defrosting process and lead to bacteria contamination of food products. Furthermore, changing out your water frequently is also recommended as this will further lower the risks of bacteria contamination of food items.

Frozen prawns are an invaluable addition to your kitchen, whether you’re cooking an elaborate feast or simply garnishing your plate. A quick and straightforward method for defrosting them quickly is placing them in a bowl with cold water that is changed out every fifteen minutes – this should defrost them within two to three hours and ensure they’re ready when you need them for use!

How to cook prawns

Prawns are an exceptionally delicious seafood choice that can be prepared in various ways. From adding them to salads to pasta dishes and even being barbecued, prawns offer endless culinary opportunities. Frozen prawns should also be cooked the same way as fresh, although prior defrosting should take place first. When using raw prawns, it is important to follow package directions, as uncooked seafood could contain bacteria that lead to food poisoning if eaten uncooked.

One of the easiest and fastest ways to cook frozen prawns delivery is in a microwave. While this method may seem convenient, frozen prawns must first be defrosted completely prior to being microwaved; otherwise, they could become overcooked with an unpleasant, gritty texture and be overdone when they are reheated in the microwave.