Appeals against Criminal Convictions and Sentances
Although the English legal system is one of the oldest in the world and described by some at being "first class" the criminal justice system can and does get it wrong.
A criminal conviction can mean much more than the loss of good character or an immediate custodial sentence: the Courts now have wide powers to impose ancillary orders including disqualifying offenders from working with children, driving, owning a pet; signing the sex offenders register and imposing a Football Banning Order or a Restraining Order. Quite apart from the powers of the Courts most criminal convictions carry social stigmas: cause irreparable damage to families and instigate bouts of vigilantism.
As Criminal Appeal Solicitors we can help! As a matter of good practice we always provide our opinion as to whether our clients should appeal against a conviction and/or sentence. Where we have not acted at first instance we can look through your case and provide you with an opinion on whether you have any merits in appealing against your conviction and/or sentence. This work is time consuming and involves a thorough analysis of your case. Maybe there is now fresh evidence that has come to light which was not available at the time of your trial; a legal argument was wrongly decided by the Court; the Judge erred in summing up or has imposed a sentence that is either wrong in law or "manifestly excessive".
It can be a long, difficult and sometimes expensive task in overturning a conviction but it is important that you feel that your lawyer is on your side and can articulate any grounds for appeal succinctly and having taken into account the relevant law. Sometimes a sentence of immediate custody is so short that it needs urgent attention and other times it is the ancillary orders that the Court makes that can be overly onerous or arbitrarily imposed. As Criminal Appeal Lawyers we are experts at reopening such cases and vigorously re-examining the evidence, however complicated or extensive. You can also trust that we are committed to your cause and do whatever it takes to ensure that you stand the best chance of getting justice.
Some recent examples of cases involving our criminal appeal solicitors: -
R v S - This case involved the appeal of a client convicted by a jury of an allegation of rape whilst being represented by another firm. Sundeep was part of a team that took over the case. The appeal revolved around complex legal submissions relating to the controversial shield afforded to complainants relating to their previous sexual conduct and involved tracing and then obtaining witness evidence from witnesses from Poland who were eventually called at the appeal via live link.
R v H - This case involved an allegation of fraud relating to the use of a disabled parking permit. The client did not have any previous convictions and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. The client was fined and disqualified from driving for 8 weeks under section 146 Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. This was successfully appealed and the Court was persuaded that the imposition of a disqualification was arbitrary in these circumstances and the disqualification was quashed.
