Tag Archives: free advice

News

Free police station advice from accredited representative

In readiness for the opening of the new Chesterfield office we have been putting together new website profiles for the lawyers based there.

Accredited police station representative Rob Lowe has provided the detail of several examples of recent free police station advice that he has given.  Each illustrate the advantages of seeking his free and independent legal advice before speaking to the police in an interview under caution.

Mansfield police station – domestic assault allegation

Rob attended Mansfield police station to represent a suspect who had been arrested for an allegation of an assault in a domestic setting.  The officer in the case provided Rob with disclosure of the evidence in the case permitting him to take instructions from his client before interview.

The evidence provided failed to implicate Rob’s client in an offence.  As a result, Rob formed the view that there was not a case for him to answer.  He made immediate representations to the custody sergeant that his client should be released immediately without interview.

The sergeant agreed, and Rob’s client was released without charge, without the need for an interview.

It is perhaps hard to imagine that this outcome would have been secured without the benefit of Rob’s free police station advice and representation.

Liverpool police station – assault allegation

free legal advice and representation liverpoolRob travelled to represent his client at Liverpool police station.  he had been arrested on suspicion of assault.  He advised his client to answer questions and make a counter complaint.

This advice led to our client being released without charge.  Instead, the initial complainant ended up being interviewed under caution by the police himself.  This was as a result of the advice given and the representations that Rob made to the investigating officers.

Chesterfield police station – shop theft

free police station advice
Chesterfield police station

Part of Rob’s role in when representing a client at the police station is to negotiate with the police.  In this case, his client was accepting guilt in relation to allegations of shop lifting.

The custody sergeant was concerned about a risk of re-offending and intended to keep our client in custody overnight to be placed before the Magistrates’ Court for a remand into custody the next day.  After taking into account the representations that Rob made about bail, the custody sergeant reconsidered his initial view and agreed to grant bail.

Again, without representation, it would appear unlikely that this suspect would have been released, with nobody to negotiate on their behalf.

Chesterfield police station – drug investigation

Here, Rob was instructed by a client who had been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.  Rob considered it appropriate for his client to deny the offences for which he had been arrested.  His client was, however, reluctant to submit to extensive questioning by the police.

As a result, Rob advised that an alternative to answering questions would be to submit a prepared statement in interview setting out his defence.  He would then be able to make ‘no comment’ replies to any other questions put. This would be sufficient to remove the risk of an inference being drawn at any future trial.

Rob’s client was released to allow the police further time to investigate the offence and his defence.

Contact us for free police station advice

If you are unlucky enough to be interviewed by the police, whether while under arrest or as a volunteer, or in the police station or elsewhere, you are entitled to legal representation.  As we have a legal aid contract then we can provide you with free police station advice.

free police station advice
Chesterfield accredited police station representative Rob Lowe

If you are arrested then make sure the police ask for VHS Fletchers to represent you.  If you know that the police want to speak to you as a volunteer then contact us with the date and time and we will make sure that we are there on time to remove any delay.

Rob Lowe can be contacted at our new Chesterfield office at 5 Beetwell Street, 100 metres away from Chesterfield police station.  Our new phone number is 01246 387999.

Your nearest office can be found here. and all of the numbers are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Alternatively use  the form below.

Contact

News

Chesterfield Crime Solicitor gives advice at The Church on the Bus

Chesterfield Crime Solicitor David Gittins has attended The Church on the Bus for the first time in Chesterfield.  This was in order to offer free legal advice to its vulnerable service users.

the church on the bus chesterfield crime solicitor
The Church on the Bus

The Church on the Bus is a unique local initiative.  It has been running for several years.  A specific need for the homeless was identified in Chesterfield.  There are no soup kitchens or hostel accommodation in the town.  The Church on the Bus attempts to fill part of this gap in local assistance.

The Church on the Bus

Help to some of the most vulnerable in the area is provided from a converted single-decked bus.   The Bus is parked on Rose Hill opposite Chesterfield Town Hall every Monday and Thursday evening from 6.30pm to 8.00pm (apart from Bank Holiday Mondays).

Volunteers serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soup, sandwiches and, usually, treats such as cake, biscuits or chocolates!  Toiletries, clothing, shoes and sleeping bags are also provided, together with advice on benefits and other matters affecting the homeless.

Perhaps more importantly the bus provides a safe place for people to feel welcomed, be able to sit quietly in comfort, to chat, to ask questions, and to pray.  Each session ends with a short period of quiet prayer.

Typically between 15 and 30 people attend on any one evening but the total pool of people visiting the bus is much larger.

How we became involved

the church on the bus chesterfield criminal solicitor david gittins
Chesterfield Crime Solicitor David Gittins

David became aware of the organisation through local business contacts forged within Chesterfield Champions.  As a result he contacted the group to how he and staff at our Chesterfield solicitors could help.

David’s first meeting was of the Committee.  David was able to outline what he believed he could do to help the organisation and those that it helps.

This will include:

  • Free legal advice on a variety of areas of law relating to the police and courts
  • Free help and advice with official letters and documents
  • Signposting to solicitors in other areas of law as required by those attending the service
  • Signposting to other professional service providers to help with ongoing issues, whether legal or not

David’s offer was warmly accepted by the Church and it was agreed that he would attend twice monthly to offer help and support and see what demand there is for the service.

Free advice to vulnerable service users

Since then, David has attended the Bus for the first time in his capacity as adviser.   As well as providing some legal advice he spoke with the attendees and witnessed for himself the help and support offered to the homeless.  To David’s surprise this included the offer of free haircuts!

David will be returning to offer his legal and practical help (and possibly receive a hair cut) at regular intervals over the coming months.

Make a donation to the Church on the Bus

If anyone wishes to make any donations, such as toiletries, sleeping bags, clothes etc to the Church on the Bus please drop these off at St Thomas’ Church, Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield clearly marked.

Alternatively items can be left at our Marsden Street office and transported on your behalf.  Our contact details can be found here.

More information about how you can support the service can be found here.

News

Newark Police Station – Sergeant persuaded to caution

Newark crime solicitor Ian Carter recently represented a client on relatively minor matter at Newark police station.

Although the arrest was for a low value shop lifting, Ian’s client had previous cautions for theft.  She had also previously been convicted and sentenced at court.

As a result, the police would usually make the decision that such a client should be charged and put before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

Representations avoid court proceedings

As Ian’s client had chosen to have a solicitor in the police station, Ian was able to speak with the sergeant at Newark police station who was to make the decision.  He was able to persuade the officer that although his client had a record, the convictions were limited.  His client had been out of trouble for eight months.  All of the previous offending had been when she was a youth.  This was her first offence as an adult.

The sergeant was persuaded that he could take a lenient view on this occasion.  He agreed to give her a first adult caution.  As her previous conviction was now spent, she would not have a record that would necessarily hold her back in her search for employment.

Free Police Station Representation

VHS Fletchers hold a contract with the government to provide advice and representation in the police station.  The advice is not dependent on your earnings.  The advice is therefore free of charge to everyone under the police station legal aid scheme.  It will not cost you anything to instruct a solicitor to help you secure a favourable outcome if interviewed by the police.

Contact a Newark Criminal Solicitor for Newark Police Station

If you are being investigated by the police or face court proceedings then please contact Newark criminal defence lawyer Ian Carter on  or email him here.  If you face police investigation or criminal proceedings elsewhere then you can find your local office here.