Violent Crime Lawyers

Here at JD Solicitors we have a specialist team of violent crime lawyers based in the West Midlands and are at hand to help you with your defence proceedings.

For immediate assistance with your situation call 01902 632 123 during office hours or out of hours call our emergency line today on 07971 194042 . We are available to help you in person, over the phone or online.

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Our Expert Legal Team

Birmingham’s leading violent crime defence solicitors

JD Solicitors is a leading violent crime law firm specialising in all areas of defence law.

JD Solicitors are highly experienced in representing individuals facing all types of violent offence allegations, from minor public order to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. We provide effective legal representation to those clients alleged to have committed acts of violence in public or private settings, and promptly identify and advise in respect of the strength of the evidence and any applicable defences, such as self-defence.

Violent offences often have other significant factors involved (before, at the time and/or following the alleged incident), which will need to be considered and explored by our legal experts. For example, the degree of force, the level of alcohol/drug consumption, the psychological wellbeing of the parties and the impact on family/employment.

Our experts can help you with a wide range of violent offences, such as:

We have a proven track record in defending violent crime cases not limited to those above. We are expertly placed to defend you, when you need it most, no matter the circumstances.

Why choose JD Solicitors as your defence lawyers?

Our legal professionals have connections with a range of associated experts when dealing with offences of violence, where skilled knowledge is needed to identify and/or address certain evidence in the case, including CCTV enhancement and causation of injuries.

Once instructed during the investigation or the court proceedings, our lawyers will assess the evidential and public interest tests, as set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors, and where appropriate, make representations to the relevant body concerning the alleged incident(s) of violence, with a view to reaching a positive outcome for each and every client.

At JD Solicitors we appreciate that case strategy and taking the appropriate action at the right time are crucial for our clients when dealing with allegations of violence in order to achieve success.

Violent Crime Law FAQs

Violent crime covers a variety of offences – ranging from common assault to murder. It also encompasses the use of weapons such as firearms, knives and corrosive substances like acid.

 

Murder and manslaughter are crimes where one person unlawfully kills another. Both offences can be described as homicide.

The crime of murder is committed where a sane person unlawfully kills another person with intent to kill or cause serious injury. It is not considered to be unlawful killing if there is a reasonable justification, for example self-defence.

Manslaughter can be committed in one of three ways:

  • where a person has been intentionally killed but it is not treated as murder because there is loss of control (previously “provocation”), diminished responsibility or a suicide pact
  • when death is the result of behaviour that is grossly negligent 
  • where death is caused by an unlawful and dangerous act

There are other specific homicide offences, for example, infanticide (the intentional killing of an infant) and causing death by dangerous or careless driving. 

 

Acid and other corrosive substances, such as bleach or ammonia, may be used as weapons.

Acid and corrosive substance attacks have a devastating effect on victims.  The long-term consequences of acid or corrosive substance attacks may include blindness, permanent scarring of the face and body, and social or psychological difficulties.

The most appropriate charges are likely to be drawn from the following:

  • Throwing (or applying) corrosive fluid on a person with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or disable or to do some grievous bodily harm (section 29 Offences against the Person Act 1861) – maximum sentence: life; 
  • Possession of an offensive weapon (section 1 Prevention of Crime Act 1953) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
  • Possession of offensive weapon on school premises (section 139A(2) Criminal Justice Act 1988) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
  • Threatening with an offensive weapon in a public place (section 1A Prevention of Crime Act 1953) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
  • Threatening with an offensive weapon on school premises or in a public place (section 139AA Criminal Justice Act 1988) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
  • Causing grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18 Offences against the Person Act 1861) – maximum sentence: life.

Assaulting, or physically hurting another person, can lead to a number of different criminal charges. When deciding on the appropriate charge, prosecutors and police officers will consider how seriously the victim has been injured, the offender’s culpability in committing the offence and the likely sentence that the court will pass.

Three different offences can be considered, depending on the level of injuries involved. These different offences will also lead to different possible sentences if a person is found guilty.

  • Common Assault – where there is no injury, or injuries are not serious. It carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine.
  • Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) – where there is serious injury. ABH carries a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment in the magistrates’ court, and five years’ in the Crown Court and/or an unlimited fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.
  • Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) or wounding – The offence of inflicting GBH is where there is a really serious injury, and it carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. 
  • Causing GBH or wounding with intent to cause GBH – where there is really serious injury, and an intention to cause GBH. The offence of causing GBH with intent carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The UK has a wide range of laws which restrict the use and possession of guns and knives, as well as other offensive weapons. It is an offence to use a gun or knife to harm or threaten another person, and also to own, carry, manufacture or trade certain prohibited weapons.

The maximum sentence for importing or exporting a prohibited weapon or ammunition is life imprisonment.

The Firearms Act 1968 includes more than 50 offences related to different categories of weapons, including firearms, prohibited weapons, shot guns, air weapons and imitation firearms.

There are a number of knife crime-related offences, including possession in any public place of an offensive weapon without lawful authority or excuse.

  • In recent years, additional laws have been passed which create arrange of additional offences, including:
  • converting imitation firearms into functioning firearms
  • manufacturing or selling realistic imitation firearms, or bringing them into Great Britain 
  • modifying an imitation firearm to make it realistic.

Let Us Represent You

Our specialist defence lawyers are here and on hand to assist you in your time of need. Simply fill out the form below and one of our team will be in touch imminently to discuss your case. 

Great solicitors , highly recommended, I would definitely use these should I require there services in the future , professional , polite and reliable
Zoe Holdsworth
Zoe Holdsworth
2020-10-30
I bust case, the feds were steech me up and these sols kept me out. Respect fam.
Marcus Robinson
Marcus Robinson
2020-10-04
Fantastic service and advice given
James Abraham
James Abraham
2020-01-23
From my personal experience, i have had a lot of solicitors in my lifetime as i am no angel! I can honestly say they have beaten my expectations and more, i cannot praise them enough, they have done good for me. Spot on!
Conrad McCoy
Conrad McCoy
2019-11-30
I can only say my personal experience has been super. They have been friendly professional solicitors who reassured me every step of the way on my case and this achieved the desired outcome. I cannot fault them and i cannot speak for others.
Allen Harris
Allen Harris
2019-11-16
Excellent service! They gave me accurate and consistent advice definitely recommend.
Michael Ainsworth
Michael Ainsworth
2019-08-05