Criminal defence practitioners advise clients on every aspect of criminal law or any criminal procedure queries that they may have. Typical day-to-day work of a Glasgow criminal lawyer includes dealing with fixed penalties, custody attendance, assistance with police interviews, preparation of defences and advising on criminal procedure and potential outcomes arising from a criminal charge for any of the above types of criminal liability.
In addition to advising whether or not a client qualifies for Legal Aid, criminal lawyers are qualified to represent the accused in any Scottish Court, including Glasgow Sheriff Court, Paisley Sheriff Court or Glasgow’s High Court of Justiciary and to advise on possible criminal sentences, which may influence whether or not the client should plead guilty or not guilty.
Criminal solicitors can advise on any form of criminal procedure such as detention, arrest, questioning or interviewing by the police. The recent case of Cadder v Her Majesty’s Advocate means that anyone detained on suspicion of having committed a crime in Scotland is entitled to legal representation during police interview or other questioning. If an accused is interviewed by police without being allowed a criminal lawyer to attend interview, it may be a breach of the detainee’s human rights.
Glasgow’s criminal solicitors can act in District Courts, Sheriff Courts and the High Courts in Glasgow and even Edinburgh if required, whether through summary procedure involving a judge sitting without a jury, or through solemn procedure where more serious crimes have been committed, where the judge sits with 15 jurors.
If the criminal case goes to trial, the accused will be acquitted if a not proven verdict is recorded, which is the equivalent of a not guilty verdict.
Even if the accused is found guilty, it is typical for Glasgow’s criminal lawyers to present a plea in mitigation to try to persuade the sheriff to reduce the level of sentencing because of mitigating factors such as remorse or severe impact of certain sentences on the accused’s daily life.
