When you are facing a criminal charge or investigation, having the right solicitor beside you can change everything. At Woolfe & Co Solicitors, our free Legal Aid criminal case solicitors provide dedicated legal representation to individuals across England and Wales who qualify for publicly funded defence. We are specialist criminal lawyers, not general practitioners, and we have spent our entire careers defending people against criminal allegations at every level of the justice system.
Whether you need a solicitor at the police station right now, have received a court summons, or are facing trial at the Crown Court, our criminal defence lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 01582 380938 to speak directly with a qualified criminal case solicitor.
Free Legal Aid criminal case solicitors handle every aspect of a criminal defence case from the moment of arrest or charge through to conclusion. A criminal case solicitor is your advocate, your adviser, and the person who ensures the prosecution must prove its case against you to the required legal standard. Here is how our criminal lawyers support you at each stage.
Your solicitor attends the police station with you for interviews under caution. This is the most critical stage of any criminal case because what you say, or choose not to say, can determine whether you are charged. Our criminal case solicitors are available 24/7 to attend any police station across England and Wales. Find out about police station representation.
Your solicitor reviews all prosecution evidence, identifies weaknesses in the Crown's case, gathers defence evidence, and instructs expert witnesses where needed. We scrutinise every piece of disclosure, witness statement, forensic report, and interview transcript. A thorough criminal lawyer leaves no stone unturned.
If you have been released under investigation or on police bail, your solicitor proactively engages with the police and Crown Prosecution Service. We make written representations arguing why you should not be charged, highlighting evidential weaknesses, and presenting your account of events to seek a favourable outcome before any charge is brought.
If your case proceeds to the Magistrates Court, your solicitor handles every hearing including first appearance, bail applications, case management, trial, and sentencing. We advise on plea, challenge the prosecution evidence through cross-examination, and present your defence robustly. See Magistrates Court services.
For indictable matters sent to the Crown Court, your solicitor prepares the case for trial, instructs experienced criminal barristers, manages all case progression, and provides continuous advice and support throughout. We handle complex cases involving multiple defendants, expert evidence, and lengthy trials. Read about Crown Court defence.
After a guilty plea or conviction, your solicitor prepares mitigation for sentencing and argues for the most lenient outcome. If there are grounds to challenge a conviction or sentence, we advise on and pursue appeals to the Crown Court, Court of Appeal, or Supreme Court where appropriate.
This is one of the most common questions we hear. Free Legal Aid criminal case solicitors are paid by the Legal Aid Agency, a government body that funds legal representation for individuals who cannot afford to pay privately. The funding comes from the legal aid budget administered by the Ministry of Justice.
For police station attendance, the Legal Aid Agency pays your solicitor a fixed fee for each case. For court proceedings, solicitors are paid through the Litigators' Graduated Fee Scheme or, in very large and complex cases, through an hourly rate agreed with the Legal Aid Agency in advance. The important point is that your solicitor is paid by the state, not by you.
Instructing one of our criminal case solicitors is straightforward. Whether you are at the police station, have received a court date, or simply want to understand your position, the process takes minutes. Here is how it works.
Call 01582 380938 at any time of day or night. If you are at a police station, you can ask the custody sergeant to call us on your behalf. You can also reach us through our online contact form or via WhatsApp for immediate assistance from a criminal lawyer.
You will not speak to a call handler or paralegal. You speak directly to a qualified criminal defence solicitor who will take details of your situation, explain your legal position, and advise on the next steps. This conversation is confidential and protected by legal professional privilege.
If your case involves court proceedings, your solicitor will assess whether you qualify for Legal Aid. We complete all application forms for the Legal Aid Agency and handle the administrative process from start to finish. At the police station, Legal Aid is automatic. See our fees and Legal Aid page for full details.
From this point forward, your dedicated criminal case solicitor manages everything. We attend police interviews, handle bail applications, review prosecution evidence, prepare your defence, instruct barristers for Crown Court trials, and represent you at every hearing. We keep you informed throughout, explain the law in plain English, and ensure you understand every decision before it is made.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays
Our free Legal Aid criminal case solicitors handle the full range of criminal offences, from minor summary matters in the Magistrates Court to the most serious indictable offences tried at the Crown Court. With over 30 years of combined experience as specialist criminal defence lawyers, we have represented clients in cases across the entire spectrum of criminal law.
When your liberty, reputation, and future are at stake, the criminal defence solicitor you choose is the most important decision you will make. Here is why individuals across England and Wales instruct Woolfe & Co Solicitors.
Criminal investigations do not respect office hours. Our criminal case solicitors are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. When you need a solicitor urgently, we are always here.
We are not a general practice that does a bit of everything. Our entire firm is dedicated to criminal defence. Every solicitor here is a criminal law specialist who understands procedure, evidence, and advocacy at the highest level. Explore our criminal defence work.
Based in Luton but covering the whole of England and Wales, our solicitors attend police stations and courts across the country. See our full coverage area.
With over 30 years of combined experience, our criminal defence lawyers have a strong track record of securing positive outcomes for our clients. Read our client reviews and case studies.
Woolfe & Co Solicitors is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our criminal law solicitors hold Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation, demonstrating recognised expertise in criminal defence. View our accreditations.
We explain the law, the evidence against you, your options, and the likely outcomes in plain English. No jargon, no hidden fees, and no surprises. You will always know exactly where you stand.
If you are facing a criminal investigation or charge, the sooner you speak to a solicitor, the stronger your position. Our free Legal Aid criminal case solicitors are available 24/7 across England and Wales. One call to 01582 380938 could be the most important call you make. Your defence starts here.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays