Defences to criminal charges

There are many defences to criminal charges. The most frequent one is a straight factual dispute. The Police or prosecution are saying one version of the facts and the defence are saying the opposite.

The main criminal defences are the following;

Self-defence

Mistake of fact

Claim of right

Consent (particularly in sexual offences)

Necessity

Impossibility

Duress or coercion

Mental impairment

Lack of intent

Like most subjects in the criminal law defences are then the subject of a lot of case law. The only way for a defence to be assessed is for your lawyer to read the prosecution materials and then have your proper instructions.

We have defended many hundreds of criminal matters and would be pleased to discuss your matter with you.