When faced with a criminal investigation, as well as working toward the best possible outcome, it is important to be aware of the legal fees. Understanding this at the outset will ensure you are clear on what you must pay for your legal guidance and then any further court costs if necessary.
Your personal financial situation will likely influence the kind of legal support you can access. You can choose to take one of two routes; private funding or legal aid.
At Slater Heelis, we do not offer legal aid. We feel it doesn’t allow us to provide the high level of quality service that we strive to give to each of our clients.
If you are privately funding your legal proceedings, further information can be found in the rest of this article about costs to be aware of. If, however, your only option is legal aid, you can find more information here.
Legal Fees for Criminal Investigation
Here is a breakdown of legal fees for you to be mindful of, which are detailed below.
Your own legal fees
To ensure you have the most thorough, valuable legal expertise on your side, we advise seeking representation at the earliest opportunity. Finding a solicitor with an established reputation will put you at ease that you are in safe hands.
Solicitors at varying levels of seniority may have different rates, and so it is important that you get clarity on your solicitor’s costs before making a decision.
If you are unable to afford privately funded legal support, it is advised that you explore your eligibility for legal aid.
If you are convicted
On sentencing, you may be ordered to cover the prosecution’s costs which could vary depending on the length and complexity of the case. The court must be satisfied that the defendant has the means to pay such costs before ordering them to do so.
Your solicitor will go through this in greater detail if relevant to your investigation, but it is an important thing to remember. Pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity will reduce the court costs that you are ordered to pay upon conviction, in contrast to the fees if you are found guilty following a trial.
The courts can order a victim surcharge if you are found guilty. This surcharge can vary up to around £190. A combination of factors will dictate the size of the surcharge, including age, whether an organisation or individual, and the type of sentence.
If you are acquitted or charges are dropped
You may be entitled to partial reimbursement of your legal fees, known as ‘defendant’s costs’. A proportion of your legal fees can be applied through a defendant’s costs order.
The order must be requested, and then the funds will be assessed by the central government rather than decided by the court.
It is unlikely you would recoup all of your legal fees, but the central government’s assessment will decide a small percentage of the fees.
Contact our Specialists
If you are seeking legal representation for upcoming proceedings, please do reach out to our criminal law team, and we will see how we can support you through the process.
Our team is highly recommended on Review Solicitors, so you can be sure you are in safe and knowledgeable hands to find the best possible outcome for you.
Contact us on 0161 969 3131 or fill in our contact form, and we will be in touch.