Calderwood House, Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham GL50 1UA
Our criminal defence solicitors provide clear legal advice and representation for people facing allegations involving knives or other bladed articles. We can advise you from the initial investigation and police interview through to court proceedings, helping you understand the allegations, evidence and legal options available to you.
Criminal Defence Advice
A search that leads to a knife or other item being seized can result in a serious allegation even where no one was injured. Our weapons offence solicitors help you understand the precise charge, the legal classification of the item and what police say connects it to you. We take your explanation of possession and purpose and examine it against the circumstances before advising on an interview or plea.
The rules differ for bladed articles, offensive weapons and prohibited items, and a reason that matters for one offence may not answer another. Our criminal defence team reviews the place of possession, the nature of the item, the search evidence and any claimed lawful reason. We can prepare for court and address sentencing risks, including relevant previous convictions, while giving clear advice about arguments that the law will and will not recognise.
Different legislation governs possession of bladed or sharply pointed articles, offensive weapons and specifically prohibited weapons. Some offences concern public places or particular premises, while certain prohibited items are unlawful to possess in private as well. The prosecution must identify the relevant item, location and legal elements. Defences such as good reason or lawful authority depend on the offence, and the rules for an ordinary tool should not be assumed to apply to a prohibited weapon.
We look at the item recovered, exactly where it was found, who had access to that location and the evidence the police rely on. The allegation may involve a bladed article, an alleged offensive weapon or an item said to have been displayed or used during another incident.
Evidence can include body-worn video, CCTV, photographs, witness statements, vehicle records, fingerprints, DNA and phone material. Where an item is found in a shared vehicle, bag, room or other location, several people may be investigated, so the evidence said to connect you with it needs to be separated from the wider circumstances.
Our police station representation can cover questioning after a stop, search or arrest involving a seized weapon.
A vague reference to work or forgetting an item does not automatically establish a defence. The explanation must be assessed against the item, timing, journey and supporting evidence. Carrying a weapon for general self-protection is not a safe legal justification. We examine your account and the applicable burden of proof, while addressing issues such as access to a shared vehicle and whether the evidence establishes possession of the particular item.
A weapons charge can sit alongside assault, robbery, burglary or public order allegations from the same incident. We review how the item is said to connect with the wider allegation and which evidence supports each charge.
If violence is alleged, we also review the evidence for assault, ABH or GBH and how the weapon allegation affects the prosecution case.
A recovered item cannot always be understood on its own. We look at the search, footage, forensic material and the wider incident together so the preparation reflects how the prosecution says the weapon connects with you and with any other charge.
We can stay involved from interview through to court and deal with connected assault, robbery or public order allegations at the same time. If the case moves to the Crown Court, the same solicitor team can continue the preparation while working with the barrister instructed for hearings and trial.
Fees depend on the evidence about possession, the classification of the item and whether the charge is contested. We explain costs for preparation, hearings and any required counsel or expert opinion, including VAT where applicable. More serious allegations involving threats or connected violence may require a wider instruction, and the estimate will identify that work separately from a straightforward possession hearing.
We do not accept legal aid instructions. If you choose our firm, we will agree our fees with you before substantive work begins.
Knife & Weapons FAQs
Common questions about stop and search, shared vehicles, connected charges, court proceedings and costs.
Police may investigate who used the vehicle, who knew the item was there and where it was recovered. We can review the search, footage and other evidence said to connect you with it.
Police may investigate possession or control by one or more people. We focus on the evidence attributed to you and the circumstances in which the item was found.
The reason for possessing an item can be legally relevant in some cases, depending on the type of item and circumstances. We would need to review the precise allegation before advising on how that reason affects the case.
Yes. A separate weapons offence can sit alongside assault where a knife or other item is alleged to have been carried, displayed or used during the incident.
Yes. We can explain restrictions affecting contact, movement or particular locations and advise on the correct process if a variation needs to be considered. For example, a work-related restriction may need supporting employment evidence and a practical alternative that addresses the court or police concerns.
Yes. You can obtain legal advice during the investigation and before any charging decision, including before a police interview. We can review the seizure circumstances and discuss records that may support your account of why the item was present.
Some cases remain in the Magistrates' Court while more serious weapons allegations or connected offences can proceed to the Crown Court. Allocation depends on the offence and procedural rules, so the wording of the charge should be checked rather than relying on the item's everyday name.
Fees depend on the stage of the investigation or court case, the amount of evidence and whether connected charges or Crown Court work are involved. We can explain the likely costs before you decide to instruct us.
Certain prohibited weapons are unlawful to possess in private as well as in public, subject to the applicable exceptions. Other offences depend on possession in a public place or specified premises. The item's exact classification and the relevant legislation must be checked before assuming that keeping it at home is lawful.
Relevant repeat offences can trigger statutory minimum sentencing provisions, but the exact offence, age, previous conviction and applicable exceptions must be checked. Do not rely on a general prediction from the number of convictions alone. We review the record and the sentencing framework and prepare any legally relevant material.
If you have been arrested, asked to attend an interview or given a court date, speak to us about the item recovered and the circumstances in which it was found. We can explain the next steps, how we can help and the likely costs.
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.