Pre-charge Advice

At Sonn Macmillan Walker, we know that our clients primary concern is for their matter to be resolved speedily without them ever facing any prosecution in court.

Our team recognises that being a suspect in a police investigation is an intimidating experience. We know that investigations can put lives on pause and cause additional challenges and anxiety to our clients. For these reasons, we specialise in assisting our clients at the early stages of an investigation, when they often also have many questions and want further guidance.

As part of our service, we offer pre-charge advice and assistance on a privately instructed basis. Our approach is focused on getting results and reducing the accompanying pressures/difficulties our clients face. We hope to prevent a charge ever coming to fruition.

We recommend a meeting with us at the start of an investigation after an initial police interview. This allows us to give detailed guidance on the investigation process and attention to the possibility of engaging with the investigating officers. It is at this stage that we can also consider the benefits of commencing the preparation of any defence case, such as taking further instructions, reviewing any evidence, taking witness statements, or meeting with a barrister.

Continued Service

As part of this service, we then maintain contact with investigating officers on behalf of our clients, monitoring an investigation’s progress, and placing pressure on officers (or their supervisors) for updates where appropriate. We constantly have regard to the DPP’s Guidance on Charging and Charging Standard. We hold officers to account and make sure that any charging decisions that they make are in line with this standard.

We also regularly draft robust written representations. These are letters to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) arguing that our clients should not face prosecution, paying particular attention to the guidelines set out in the Full Code for Crown Prosecutors.

Get in Touch Today

Our work in this area is understandably specific to each client’s concerns and the nature of the investigation. Sonn Macmillan Walker are committed to a sensitive and proactive approach to each of our client’s cases. Please speak to Alex Whitmore or Daniel Cavaglieri if you think you have a problem we can help you with.

28 February 2024

Offer of No Evidence in Malicious Poisoning Case

After representations to the CPS, the Crown agreed to offer no evidence to 5 counts of poisoning.

11 January 2024

DWP Offers Out of Court Penalty After Representations

Our client was alleged to have made dishonest representations to obtain housing benefit. After representations, an out of court penalty was administered.