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Using a local criminal solicitor offers several key advantages compared to instructing a firm based far away. Below are the primary benefits:

1. In‐Depth Knowledge of Local Courts and Procedures

• Familiarity with Magistrates’ and Crown Courts
  Local solicitors regularly attend hearings at your nearest courts (e.g., “St Helens Magistrates’ Court,” “Liverpool Crown Court”). They understand:

  • Which magistrates tend to be stricter or more lenient on bail

  • Typical listing practices and court schedules

  • How local court staff handle paperwork and adjournments

• Established Relationships
  Over time, they build professional rapport with duty solicitors, judges, court clerks, and Probation Service officers in your area. That rapport can often translate into smoother case handling, quicker listing dates, and realistic advice on how a case is likely to proceed.

2. Faster, More Responsive Service

• Same‐Day Consultations and Police Station Attendance
  If you’re arrested or invited for a police interview, a local solicitor can often reach the police station within hours (or even minutes), ensuring:

  • You receive legal advice before answering any questions

  • Your rights are fully protected from the outset

• Quick Face‐to‐Face Meetings
  Rather than waiting days for a distant lawyer to travel, you can usually arrange a meeting in person—often on short notice. Being local means:

  • You can drop off evidence or documents directly

  • Your solicitor can visit you in custody more easily

  • Confidential discussions happen in a comfortable, familiar setting

3. Better Understanding of Community and “Local Context”

• Awareness of Local Crime Trends
  A solicitor practising in your town knows which offences are most common (e.g., youth disorder in certain neighbourhoods, drink‐driving hotspots) and how they are typically prosecuted locally. That insight helps them:

  • Tailor defence strategies to what will resonate with local prosecutors

  • Anticipate possible plea offers or diversion programmes (e.g., community resolution in your borough)

• Knowledge of Local Support Networks
  If your case involves sensitive issues (domestic abuse, mental health, or substance misuse), a local solicitor can point you toward:

  • Neighbourhood-based support services (charities, counselling)

  • Local probation, rehabilitation, or youth offending teams, if diversion is an option

4. Cost‐Effectiveness and Transparent Fees

• Reduced Travel Costs
  When the solicitor’s office is nearby, you avoid:

  • Additional disbursements for mileage or overnight stays

  • Extra hours billed for travel time

• Competitive Local Rates
  A local practice often sets fees based on the regional cost of living, which can be lower than city‐centre or national firms. They are also more likely to provide:

  • Fixed‐fee packages for straightforward Magistrates’ Court offences

  • Clear guidance on Legal Aid eligibility specific to your area

5. Stronger Client‐Solicitor Relationship

• Easier Ongoing Communication
  Proximity makes it more convenient to:

  • Drop into the office with urgent questions

  • Attend review meetings in person rather than relying on email or long phone calls

• Local Reputation and Trust
  Word of mouth in a tight‐knit community matters. A criminal solicitor who’s known locally is more likely to:

  • Be recommended by friends, family, or local community organisations

  • Have established credibility and accountability (your neighbours know who they are and what they stand for)

Summary

Choosing a local criminal solicitor means you benefit from their first hand knowledge of nearby courts, rapid response times, and understanding of local nuances—all while keeping costs transparent and building a strong, trust‐based relationship. Especially in towns like St Helens, Liverpool, or similar, the difference in accessibility and community insight can be crucial to achieving the best possible outcome in your case.

Here are the key official links for Liverpool & Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates’ Court:

• Court Details & Contact Info
  https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/liverpool-knowsley-magistrates-court find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk
  (Includes address, opening hours, types of cases heard, disabled access, and venue hire information.)

• Generic “Find a Court or Tribunal” Tool
  https://www.gov.uk/find-court-tribunal GOV.UK
  (Use this page to search for Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates’ Court or any other court in England and Wales.)

Feel free to bookmark or share these links when you need directions, contact details, or case-type information for Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

Avoid Uncertainty Stress And Worry. Call us Now

We Provide services exactly for what clients need.

07793464380  24/7

free consultations, eligibility checks for Legal Aid, payment options.

🔍 We Provide What Clients Most Want and Need

is

1. Clear, Honest Legal Advice

• A plain-English explanation of the charges

• Realistic outcomes (no false promises)

• Clarity on the next steps, from interview to trial

🗣 “What are my chances? What should I do next?” we can advise immediately

2. Strong Defence Strategy

• An experienced solicitor who will fight their corner

• Knowledge of defences, evidence rules, and how to challenge prosecution claims

• A plan for plea, trial, or mitigation

• We Provide What Clients Most Want and Need

⚖️ They want someone who knows how to win or reduce the damage. That would be IMSLAW

3. Availability & Responsiveness

• Prompt updates

• Easy access to their lawyer (especially in emergencies)

• Calls returned and emails answered quickly

📱 Many value 24/7 access or police station representation as a key factor. This we provide with a tam of legal representation to meet you at the police station without notice or by arrangement.

4. Non-judgemental Support

• Respectful, confidential support

• Someone who listens and doesn’t make assumptions

• A feeling of being taken seriously

🛡️ Trust is built through compassion as much as competence.

5. Experience with Similar Cases

• The same charge (e.g. GBH, theft, fraud)

• The same court (e.g. Liverpool Crown Court)

• The same circumstances (e.g. first-time offence, youth crime)

6. Clarity on Costs & Legal Aid

• Transparent pricing (fixed fee or hourly)

• To know if they’re eligible for Legal Aid

• Clear guidance on financial next steps

We understand our clients needs.  We have been in business since 2001 and are especially well placed to provide what clients want and what they need.

Some useful links

• • More about us: https://www.imslaw.co.uk/services/criminal-law-solicitors/

• • Legal Aid Overview & Eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid
    (Check if you qualify, see the different types of legal aid, and find application guidance)

  • Preparing to come to Court – Her Majesties Court and Tribunal Service

WE CAN GO TOGETHER

The Police want to interview you;

You can either go to face them alone or we take charge of your defence and we can go can  together.

Here are your options:

YES! I’m Ready To fight with my legal team for the The Best Possible Outcome With The Least possible Repercussions to me.

(Negative Option) No Thanks; I don’t want To fight with my legal team for the The Best Possible Outcome With The Least possible Repercussions to me.

YES! I’m Ready To begin Laying The Best Possible Foundations For The Ultimate Defence Of my Case in Any Ongoing Investigation Or Future Court Hearing

No Thanks! I’m NOT Ready To begin  Laying The Best Possible Foundations For The Ultimate Defence Of my Case At Any Ongoing Investigation Or Future Court Hearing!

YES! Send My lawyer with  Decades Of Legal Experience In Criminal Law As my Personal Legal Representative,

(Negative Option) No Thanks! I Don’t Care That My lawyer with  Decades Of Legal Experience In Criminal Law As my Personal Legal Representative will not be with me.

YES! Send My lawyer who will be able to negotiate with the Police to my advantage and in my best interests.

(Negative Option) No Thanks! I Don’t Care that My lawyer who will be able to negotiate with the Police to my advantage and in my best interests is not with me

YES! Send My lawyer who will be able to advise On Interview Strategy and Protect my Rights as a suspect at the police station

(Negative Option) No Thanks! I Don’t Care that My lawyer who will be able to advise On Interview Strategy and Protect my Rights as a suspect at the police station is not with me.

YES! Send My lawyer who can attend a police station interview and represent  me  free of charge.  I am aware that the Government covers lawyer fees.

(Negative Option) No Thanks! I Don’t want My lawyer who can attend a police station interview and represent  me  free of charge.  I am aware that the Government covers lawyer fees.

Our Solicitor and Director Iain MacDonald has been named “Lawyer of the Week” by The Times, following a recent Judgement for a legal aid appeal over prosecution evidence.

The article references Mr MacDonald’s success at the hearing and the challenges involved in the case.

Asked to identify whom he most admires in law, Mr MacDonald advised “Legal Aid Lawyers and support staff who have had to deal with a multitude of changes and challenges over the past two decades whilst ensuring that clients have access to justice and are properly represented.”

If you have a subscription to the times you can read the article here.

We provide legal services and representation for people facing a criminal investigation or prosecution.

Do the Police want you to attend for a voluntary interview?

Have you been interviewed by the Police and are awaiting an outcome but have no idea what is likely to happen?

Do you face a Magistrates or Crown Court hearing and are not represented?

Call us now.  01744 612549 or email us at enq@imslaw.co.uk

Free initial consultation.  You may qualify for legal aid.

IMSLAW recently won a landmark case in relation to a fee to which the Legal Aid Agency disputed, despite work carried out on behalf of our Client.

This fantastic and hard earned outcome was published in the premier legal press.

For full details click on the link below published on 7th December 2023.

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/firm-wins-legal-aid-fee-for-stayed-indictment-in-swings-and-roundabouts-case/5118149.article

IMSLAW fighting for justice and the right to Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings for those under investigation and those facing prosecution.

A Conspiracy to Supply Drugs, Case Study Indictment.

Below is a sample indictment of a Conspiracy to Supply Controlled Drugs Matter.

An indictment is not usually prepared until the case has been sent to the Crown Court.

The case begins life in the Magistrates Court under the authority of a charge similar to an indictment and is to be found on a charge sheet.

Once at the Crown Court the case is reviewed by the Prosecution and a perfected Indictment is prepared as seen below.  Any anomalies such as dates or times, spelling corrections or even defendant names are amended and an indictment is served upon the Defence team.

The indictment forms the backbone of the Prosecution case.

An indictment sets out the Defendants name, the Statement of Offence defines the Conspiracy and the particulars of the offence refers to the circumstances of the conspiracy relative to the matter itself in this example relating to drugs.   Equally it could be any other offence.

The particulars section specifies not just the substance of the conspiracy ie Drugs or sale and transfer of weapons but crucially with whom the Defendant conspired and between what dates.

The URN denotes a number and that number identifies the case within the Court system.

                                     INDICTMENT

IN THE CROWN COURT AT “Name of Crown Court”

THE KING – v – Joe Bloggs

Joe Bloggs  is charged as follows:

                                                                                STATEMENT OF OFFENCE

CONSPIRACY TO SUPPLY A CONTROLLED DRUG OF CLASS B, Contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

Joe Bloggs between the 1st day of May 2022 and the 1st day of April 2023 conspired with John Doe and others to supply a controlled drug of class B, namely cannabis, contrary to section 4(1)of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Officer of the Court

URN:

Criminal Conspiracy is governed by the Criminal Law Act 1977.

The offence of conspiracy is defined in Section 1 and is as follows:

• Subject to the following provisions of this part of this act, if a person agrees with any other person or persons, that a course of conduct shall be pursued which, if the agreement is carried out in accordance with their intentions, either-

• Will necessarily amount to involve the commission of any offence or offences by one or more of the parties to the agreement, or

• Would do so but for the distance of facts which render the commission of the offence, or any of the offences impossible.

• He is guilty of conspiracy to commit the offence or offences in question.

Common forms of conspiracy or offences relating to conspiracy include conspiracy to supply drugs, conspiracy to possess for sale or transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to commit fraud. These are just some common examples as conspiracy can cover a wide range of offences.

However, the key to conspiracy is that the conduct has to amount to involve the commission of an offence or offences by two or more parties to an agreement.

Conspiracy can be and is far more complicated and this is just a simple introduction.

If you are facing criminal charges whilst on police bail and under investigation and are not represented by a solicitor, please feel free to contact us to discuss this matter further. We have extensive experience of dealing with conspiracy matters and specifically people charged with conspiracy offences.  We partner with the Legal Aid Agency to offer Legal Aid subject to menas testing.

In this series of blogs, we intend to explore some case. We will consider studies of examples of cases where people have faced charges of conspiracy relating to different types of offences.

We will consider potential defenses and demonstrate generally  how we investigate and prepare those defenses and prepare the case generally for trial.

Each case of course is different and unique and offers its own challenges however our breadth of experience equips us to be able to test the strength of the Prosecution case well in advance of trial.

We will next look at some examples of cases of conspiracy to supply drugs in the next blog.