Wansbroughs Solicitors is one of the largest providers of publicly funded criminal defence services in the west of England. Wansbroughs Solicitors provide a specialist team offering expertise and high standards of client care through each stage of the criminal process.

Arrest and Detention

The first important stage of any criminal proceeding. When suspects are arrested, they are taken to one of the custody units in Wiltshire: Salisbury, Swindon or Melksham. Wansbroughs accredited representatives and solicitors are on call 24 hours a day to represent anyone who attends a police station, whether voluntarily or under arrest. Wansbroughs Solicitors are also qualified police station Duty Solicitors.

Being arrested by the police and held in custody can be traumatic and most people will want to leave as soon as possible. Normally, however, the police want to interview suspects first. What is said or not said in an interview is vital and will have an impact on any proceedings that result. It is therefore crucial to have a legal representative present. Such representation is free of charge and Wansbroughs accredited representatives and solicitors offer the necessary support and expertise to keep any time spent in custody to a minimum whilst also to ensuring clients get fair representation and outcomes.

Court Hearings

If proceedings follow from the police station interview, a person will either be summonsed or charged to appear in the magistrates court. Wansbroughs solicitors will apply for legal aid, available on a means tested basis for many offences and then advise and represent the client throughout the proceedings. Our solicitors are also listed on the Court Duty Solicitor rota and can represent anyone free of charge subject to the restrictions of the Duty Solicitor Scheme. The principal courts Wansbroughs Solicitors deal with are Chippenham, Salisbury, Swindon, Bath and Bristol.

Crown Court

Some offences can only be dealt with by a Crown Court. In other cases, Magistrates may decide a case should be sent there for sentencing or trial. Wansbroughs have a specialist team of in-house solicitor advocates who are experienced in all aspects of Crown Court representation. Crown Courts covered by our solicitor advocates include Swindon, Bristol, Salisbury, Winchester and Gloucester.

Prison Law

Wansbroughs Solicitors offer a specialist prison law service for serving prisoners. This covers licence recalls, adjudications, Parole Board hearings and re-categorisation issues. Legal advice and assistance or advocacy assistance is available. We cover all prisons in the west of England.

For information on how Wansbroughs Solicitors can help you, please Contact Us