Calderwood House, Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham GL50 1UA
Our criminal defence solicitors provide dedicated legal advice and representation for individuals facing serious criminal charges in the Crown Court. We can assist throughout the proceedings, from early preparation and case management through to trial, sentencing and post-conviction advice.
Criminal Defence Advice
Facing the Crown Court can feel overwhelming, especially when there is a large volume of evidence or the possibility of a custodial sentence. Our criminal defence team helps you understand the prosecution case and the decisions ahead without expecting you to navigate the papers alone. We take detailed instructions, explain the legal issues and organise preparation around the evidence that matters to your defence and the timetable set by the court.
Strong representation requires careful work between hearings as well as effective advocacy in court. We review witness accounts, digital records and expert material, identify further enquiries and work with the barrister instructed for your case. You can discuss concerns about plea, witnesses, bail and sentence with a team that understands the background, while receiving candid advice about the strengths of the case and the difficulties that still need to be addressed.
The Crown Court tries indictable-only offences and either-way cases that reach it through the appropriate procedure, and it deals with certain sentencing matters and appeals from magistrates. A contested criminal trial normally involves a judge deciding legal questions and a jury deciding guilt. The prosecution must prove the charge so the jury is sure, subject to any specific legal rules affecting particular issues. Before trial, hearings set directions for disclosure, defence preparation and any applications.
Prosecution evidence may be served in stages and can include witness statements, CCTV, phone downloads, forensic material, medical evidence, financial records or material involving several defendants. We organise the papers, take your instructions and identify what needs attention before the next hearing.
Where expert evidence or substantial digital material is involved, the preparation can become more detailed. We keep the different strands of the case together and make sure the advocate has the instructions and documents needed for hearings and trial.
A case may reach the Crown Court after a Magistrates' Court hearing, and the earlier plea, bail decisions and directions should be reviewed as part of the preparation.
If the allegation is denied, we can prepare the evidence for trial and work with an appropriately instructed barrister or other Crown Court advocate. If there is a guilty plea or conviction, we can gather supporting material for sentence and provide the advocate with the information needed to present mitigation.
Where questioning is still pending, legal advice before a police interview can help you understand the allegation and the possible consequences of your response.
A large bundle is not necessarily a strong prosecution case, but a defence can lose focus if it does not address the actual allegation against you. Late instructions, overlooked digital material and failure to investigate a plausible witness account can leave important issues unresolved. We distinguish disagreements about facts from admissibility and legal arguments, meet the defence timetable and discuss the consequences of evidence that does not support your account instead of allowing an unrealistic trial strategy to develop.
Crown Court work involves much more than attending the hearing. We remain responsible for the solicitor work behind the case: taking instructions, reviewing disclosure, organising evidence and keeping you informed as the timetable moves forward.
You also have one point of contact between hearings while we work with the barrister or advocate instructed for court. That is particularly useful in cases involving large amounts of evidence, several defendants or material served over a long period.
Crown Court costs reflect evidence volume, case complexity, conferences, hearings and the expected length of trial. Solicitor preparation, counsel's fees and expert work should be identified separately in the estimate, including VAT where applicable and the effect of adjournments or extra trial days. We agree the initial scope and explain material changes as the case develops rather than presenting a single figure that assumes every case follows the same course.
We do not accept legal aid instructions. If you choose our firm, we will agree our fees with you before substantive work begins.
Crown Court FAQs
Common questions about Crown Court hearings, barristers, evidence, sentencing and costs.
There will usually be further hearings dealing with plea, case management, trial preparation or sentencing. The timetable depends on the charge and how the case is being dealt with.
It is a Crown Court hearing used to deal with plea and the steps needed to prepare a case for trial where appropriate. We can explain what is expected before the hearing and what documents or instructions are needed.
We deal with the solicitor work and preparation. Where Crown Court advocacy is required, we work with an appropriately instructed barrister or other advocate and remain involved in the case.
Yes. We can discuss taking over the case, obtain the available papers and assess what needs to be done before the next hearing or trial date.
Where expert evidence is relevant, we can consider what type of expert input is needed after reviewing the prosecution case and the issues in dispute. Expert evidence is not required in every case.
Multi-defendant cases can involve overlapping evidence and different allegations against each person. We focus on the role and evidence attributed to you and coordinate the preparation around that position.
Yes. We can gather relevant supporting documents, take instructions on personal circumstances and work with the advocate presenting mitigation at the sentencing hearing. Evidence may include medical information, employment or caring responsibilities and steps addressing the causes of offending, where relevant to the sentencing exercise.
Fees depend on the seriousness of the charge, volume of evidence, number of hearings, trial length and the barrister or advocate required. We can explain the likely costs before you decide to instruct us.
A defence statement sets out the nature of the defence and disputed issues in accordance with the applicable rules. It can help identify further disclosure, but omissions or a later inconsistent defence can have consequences. We prepare it from your instructions and the served evidence, explaining its significance before it is finalised.
A change of plea may be possible, but the procedure and consequences depend on the plea already entered and the circumstances. A guilty plea can affect sentencing credit, while withdrawing one requires a proper basis and the court's permission. Discuss any change promptly and do not assume it is a formality.
If your case has been sent to the Crown Court or a hearing is approaching, speak to us about the charge and the papers you have received. We can explain what needs to be prepared next and the likely costs of the work.
Arrange a telephone call or visit our Cheltenham office by appointment. We assist clients in Cheltenham and the surrounding Gloucestershire area.
Call 0330 900 0377, email info@pembridgesolicitors.co.uk or request a consultation.
Pembridge Solicitors
Calderwood House, Montpellier Parade
Cheltenham GL50 1UA
Office visits by appointment.