Reputation Built on Results

Court Case FAQs

Are you looking for the best criminal defence solicitor to represent and defend you at court?

We understand that, for most people, going to court to face a criminal charge is likely to be an anxious and intimidating experience.

If, therefore, you’re worried about the impact of a criminal prosecution on your life, livelihood or liberty, then put your trust in the award-winning team of Adams Whyte Solicitors to steer you clear of the many potential pitfalls of appearing before a criminal court.

Why choose Adams Whyte Criminal Defence Solicitors to defend you at court?

  • We’re already the trusted choice of thousands of clients, whom we’ve skilfully defended over the years.
  • Our first-class reputation is built on a commitment to first-class results: we always work to win:   
  • We have vast experience and expertise in appearing on a daily basis in courts and cases at all levels from the Justice of the Peace Court, to the Sheriff Court and High Court.
  • We provide the highest standards of advice and representation across the whole spectrum of criminal law – from serious violence and sexual offences to crimes of dishonesty and disorder. 
  • With lawyers who are smart, skilled and robust, you can count on us to listen carefully, think cleverly and defend you vigorously.
  • You can expect lawyers with the forensic knowledge and tactical know-how to guide you through the legal minefield of a criminal court case every step of the way.

What can you expect from Adams Whyte Solicitors when defending your court case?

No two criminal court cases are identical, but here are just some of the ways in which Adams Whyte Solicitors can provide you with our award-winning help:

  • We will explain the charges against you and advise you on the potential penalties.
  • We will carefully examine whether there are grounds for us to invite the prosecution to abandon the case against you, due to factors such as exceptional personal circumstances or problems with the prosecution case.
  • We will provide sound guidance to allow you to decide whether you should plead guilty or not guilty.
  • If you wish to consider an plea of guilty or partial plea of guilty, we will enter into robust negotiations with the prosecution to confirm the extent to which the prosecutor can be persuaded to reduce the charges or case against you.
  • We can forensically examine the prosecution case for any flaws or weaknesses and we will object to or argue against any flawed evidence or procedure.
  • With the highest standards of courtroom advocacy, we will speak for you in court, and, where appropriate, challenge, object and cross-examine on your behalf.
  • Above all, we will at all times maintain an unwavering focus on securing the best possible outcome for you, our client.

If you have a criminal court case, tip the scales in your favour and get in touch now. It might well be the best decision you’ll ever make.

Meantime, here are just some of the questions which are frequently asked by people facing a criminal court case. Don’t hesitate to contact us if there are any other questions we can help you with.

Will I have to speak at court?

If you’re feeling nervous about the thought of speaking in court, you can take comfort from the fact that our solicitors at Adams Whyte have the skills and experience to do most, if not all of the talking for you.

More importantly, after we carefully listen to what you tell us about the case against you, our lawyers will have the judgment to know not only when to speak, but also what to say. 

I’m keen to get my case over and done with: should I just plead guilty?

When it comes to making a decision about how you should plead, rarely will the 'quickest' or most ‘convenient’ choice be the right one.  Instead, given the often long-lasting consequences of a criminal conviction, it's important that decisions about your plea are right, rather than rushed. At Adams Whyte, Solicitors, we will always do our utmost to bring your case to the earliest and speediest conclusion, but at the same time, you can count on us to maintain an unwavering focus on delivering for you the best, not just the quickest, result.

So, when deciding how to plead, for the best advice on protecting your future, get in touch now.

The papers I’ve received for court say I can reply by letter: should I send my plea by letter?

If your charge sheet or court papers (often referred to as a ‘Complaint’ or ‘Citation’), says that for the first court hearing (often referred to as a ‘Pleading Diet’) you can send your plea by letter, that doesn’t automatically mean that the court will decide or dispose of your case without you ever having to attend court in person.

It's, therefore, unwise to attempt to represent yourself, or at least to do so without first taking expert legal advice. Accordingly, to get your case off to the right start, contact Adams Whyte, Solicitors before replying to the court. We will explain exactly what the charge means; guide you on your plea; and advise you on the potential penalties available to the court.

Most importantly, we’ll set out what we think is the best route for you to arrive at the best result.

What happens if I plead not guilty?

If you deny or don’t accept the charge, then you will be asked to attend a Trial hearing (normally after an earlier procedural hearing) where witnesses are questioned by the lawyers for prosecution and defence, and the court after hearing those witnesses then decides whether you should be acquitted (that is, found ‘Not Guilty’ or ‘Not Proven’) or whether you should be convicted (that is, found ‘Guilty’).

Unsurprisingly, this is a complex and challenging process best handled by criminal trial lawyers skilled in forensic preparation and courtroom advocacy.

At Adams Whyte, Solicitors, our team has vast experience of successfully defending clients at criminal trials. Get in touch now.  

What happens if I plead guilty?

If you plead guilty, there is then no need for witnesses to attend court and give evidence at a trial. Instead, the court hears about the circumstances of the offence by way of the prosecutor providing a verbal summary of the main points. There is then an opportunity for the defence to put across its side of the story by presenting what is referred to as a ‘plea in mitigation’.

Finalising the terms of any plea of guilty and presenting a plea in mitigation in court is a specialised process best handled by specialised court lawyers who are experience and skilled in these vital areas. At Adams Whyte Solicitors, our award-winning lawyers personally handle cases of this type on a daily basis.

After the court has heard from the prosecution and defence, the court can pass sentence straight away, or the court might ask for background reports about you to provide more information before coming to a final decision on sentence. The range of sentences open to a court will depend on a number of factors, including the level of court, the type of offence and the facts of the case. Sentences might range from a financial penalty to unpaid work, to social work supervision, to restriction of liberty (often referred to as a ‘tag’), to custody. 

Where a plea of guilty has been tendered, the court is entitled to consider reducing the sentence that might otherwise have been passed. This is known as a sentencing discount and, depending on the stage of a case at which the plea is tendered, can be up to a third of the maximum sentence available.

If you wish Adams Whyte Criminal Defence Solicitors to plead guilty on your behalf:

  • We will skilfully negotiate the best possible plea terms.
  • When speaking for you in court, we will know what to say on your behalf and, equally importantly, what not to say on your behalf.
  • We will highlight any circumstances in your favour.
  • We will seek to secure the maximum possible sentencing discount and to persuade the court to impose the sentence most favourable to you.

To protect your future, get in touch now.

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