Solicitors in Cheltenham

Please note that our criminal defence lawyers are available 24/7 via our emergency telephone line: 01454 790672.

Legal Services in Cheltenham

Criminal Defence

We understand that being accused of committing a criminal offence can be extremely distressing. Facing questions from the police, being placed under investigation and receiving court summons are all daunting prospects, regardless of the severity and complexity of your circumstances.

Our criminal offences solicitors in Cheltenham will guide you through each stage of the process, proactively safeguarding your interests and reputation. This includes providing support during the pre-charge and investigation stages and criminal defence in court for all and any type of criminal offence, including the following:

• Homicide
• Violence
• Domestic offences
• Fraud
• Theft, Dishonesty and damage offences
• Dogs and animal welfare offences
• Drugs
• Sexual offences
• Indecent images offences
• Weapons offences
• Public order offences
• Breach of Court orders

Pre-charge and Investigation

If you are the subject of an investigation, have been arrested, or are invited to attend a voluntary interview with the police, it is essential that you have expert legal representation from the outset. This is often the difference between charges being dropped and a case proceeding to trial. We offer free expert legal representation at police stations 24/7.

We specialise in representing in the following pre-charge circumstances:

• Police Station interviews
• Voluntary interview
• Investigation agency interviews under caution
  • Council
  • Financial Conduct Authority
  • HMRC
  • Taxi Licensing
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • Environment Agency
  • Care Quality Commission
  • Trading Standards
• Pre-charge engagement
• Out of court disposals
• DBS advice

Criminal defence in court

We understand how intimidating the prospect of attending court can be, no matter what your case involves. Our team are available to prepare your case for trial and represent you during any hearings that take place, taking every measure to secure the best possible outcome.

Our criminal defence solicitors in Cheltenham can represent you in the following types of court:

• Youth Court
• Magistrates’ Court
• Crown Court
• Court of Appeal
• Supreme Court

Appeals

Depending on the nature of your case and its outcome, it may be in your best interests to submit an appeal. Our criminal defence experts in Cheltenham can advise you on the merits of appealing a sentence or conviction and support you through the relevant process for doing so, if appropriate.

Motoring Offences

Even the most seemingly insignificant motoring offence can have a substantial impact on your day-to-day life. Penalty points, fines, driving bans and criminal convictions are all potential consequences of committing a driving offence, so it is imperative that you seek out specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

We have a specialist Road Traffic Law Department that handles a wide range of motoring offences. They work alongside qualified experts to ensure that every aspect of your case is carefully considered and that the best possible outcome is reached.

We have a strong track record for success in handling a range of motoring offences, including:

• • Appeals and Licence Revocations
  • Exceptional hardship
  • Special reasons
  • Speeding
  • Drink Driving
  • Drug Driving
  • Being in charge of a vehicle with Excess Alcohol
  • Failing to provide a specimen
  • Failing to provide details under S172 RTA 1998
  • Driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs
  • Using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving
  • No licence
  • No insurance
  • Failing to stop
  • Driving without Due Care and Attention
  • Dangerous Driving
  • Death by careless driving
  • Death by dangerous driving
  • Single Justice Procedure Notices and Notices of Intended Prosecution
  • Vehicle-related offences
  • Fixed Penalty Notices
  • Perverting the course of justice

Regulatory Offences

While they are not always prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service, regulatory offences still carry serious penalties and could significantly affect your reputation and commercial endeavours.

We have experience in handling various types of regulatory offences and will be on hand to advise you on every aspect of your matter.

Our expertise in this field includes:

• • Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Committee Hearings
  • Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licence Appeals
  • Trading Standards Investigations
  • Health and Safety Prosecutions
  • HMO Housing Prosecutions

Funding Options

We appreciate that funding can be a tricky issue to navigate. We will always be open and honest about how much you will have to pay for our services from the outset of your case so you can make a fully informed decision about how to proceed.

In the first instance, we will always consider if public funding (legal aid) is available, which can help to fund all or part of your legal fees. It is assessed through a means test and a merit test to determine whether it is in the interest of justice to fund your case.

Alternatively, if you are ineligible for legal aid, we will represent you on a private fee-paying basis. Your cost breakdown, which will include an overview of our fees and any disbursements, will be explained to you at the start of the process.

If you are dissatisfied with the legal representation you are receiving from your current solicitor, it’s important to know that you can consider switching to a new solicitor. If you feel that your case is not being handled properly or you have concerns about communication, experience, or the overall strategy of your defence, we are here to assist you in transferring your case to our firm, whether you are paying privately or are on Legal Aid.

Please note that we offer a 24-hour emergency service for clients who have been detained at the police station (01454 790672). This service is always free, regardless of your financial position.

Local Resources in Cheltenham

Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court

Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court handles summary and either-way offences. It also hears indictable only offences before they are passed on to the Crown Court.

Gloucester Crown Court

Gloucester Crown Court oversees serious criminal offences, including some either-way offences and indictable offences.

Cheltenham Citizens Advice Bureau

Cheltenham Citizens Advice Bureau has an Adviceline available to the public and, subject to availability, offers triage drop-in sessions. The service provides general advice to residents in Cheltenham on a range of matters.

Directions

Reach Us By Car

Just across from our office is St George’s Road Car Park, which is wheelchair accessible and offers pay-by-phone service.

A short ten-minute walk away is a larger alternative, Regent Arcade Car Park, which is also wheelchair accessible and has some electric charging points.

Reach Us By Bus

Cheltenham Coach Station is just around the corner on Clarence Parade, which accommodates multiple mainline buses and their stops, including Royal Well Bus Station (Bay D) and Royal Well Cheltenham Spa (A).

Reach Us By Train

Our office is a 15-20 minute walk from Cheltenham Spa train station.

Plan Your Journey

You can plan your journey to our Cheltenham office here.

Accessibility

Allen Hoole is committed to making our offices as accessible as possible so that we can continue to represent everyone equally.

If you have any specific accessibility requirements that you would like to discuss ahead of your visit, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Speak to Our Solicitors in Cheltenham

To contact our solicitors in Cheltenham, please call us on 01242 522201 or fill out our online enquiry form, and we will respond to you promptly.