Criminal solicitors Leeds, York & Sheffield

Led by Jeremy Scott, the team of highly experienced specialist criminal lawyers includes Meghan Waldron, and Richard Etherington. Our Criminal Solicitors are recognised for exceptional results in defending criminal allegations.

Our Criminal Solicitors in Leeds, Sheffield, and York, provide expert advice and representation nationally. We act swiftly to protect your rights, mitigate reputational harm, and secure the best possible outcomes.

If you are under investigation or have been contacted by the police, or any of the other government agencies, it is essential to seek immediate legal advice. Early intervention can prevent an investigation from progressing and, in some cases, stop charges from being brought altogether.

Lupton Fawcett is trusted by professionals, business owners, and high-profile individuals to deliver discreet, expert legal representation. We specialise in giving you strategic pre-charge representation, intervening at the earliest possible stage to challenge allegations before they escalate. Many cases are won or lost before formal charges are brought, and our legal team is experienced in making representations to the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other government agencies to demonstrate why proceedings should not be brought or should not continue.

Our Criminal Defence Solicitors provide 24/7/365 emergency defence advice and assistance and representation, ensuring that anyone arrested or required to attend a police or other PACE interview under caution receives immediate legal assistance. Criminal investigations do not operate within office hours, and neither do we. The earlier we are involved, the greater the opportunity to shape the direction of an investigation and protect our clients’ interests.

Our expertise in serious criminal cases is extensive. We have successfully defended clients accused of a range of serious offences, from violent crime and sexual offences to financial crime and regulatory breaches. Our defence strategies are built on forensic analysis, expert witness testimony, and a deep understanding of criminal law. We also recognise the devastating impact that criminal allegations can have on an individual’s professional and personal reputation, which is why we take a proactive approach to damage limitation. For immediate expert advice, contact our specialist defence solicitors today on 07971520407.

Defending serious and complex criminal cases requires skill, precision, and an ability to scrutinise every aspect of the prosecution’s case. Our expertise spans all areas of serious crime, ensuring that our clients receive an exceptional level of representation.

Allegations of serious crime require a robust and highly skilled legal defence. We have extensive experience in cases involving murder and manslaughter, where forensic evidence, causation issues, and self-defence claims must be carefully examined. We work with leading pathologists and forensic experts to challenge the prosecution’s case and expose inconsistencies.

We leverage the expertise of the very best Counsel and King’s Counsel to ensure you have the very best defence.

Firearms and weapons offences are another area of focus. Many cases hinge on issues of lawful possession, supply, and use, requiring in-depth knowledge of firearms legislation and forensic ballistics. We also represent individuals facing allegations of kidnap and false imprisonment, scrutinising the prosecution’s evidence for weaknesses and inconsistencies that could lead to acquittal.

Sexual offence allegations can be profoundly damaging, with lasting consequences for an individual’s personal and professional life. Our team provides defence for sexual offence cases involving rape and sexual assault, where unreliable testimony, flawed forensic evidence, and inconsistencies in witness statements often form the basis of the prosecution’s case.

Historic allegations, which are frequently unsupported by forensic evidence, require a rigorous approach. We are highly experienced in exposing weaknesses in decades-old claims, including issues of false memory syndrome and procedural errors in police investigations. Our expertise also extends to cases involving online offences, such as allegations relating to indecent images and grooming, where digital forensics play a crucial role in the defence strategy.

Investigations into financial crime are highly complex, often involving forensic accountancy, corporate compliance, and regulatory scrutiny. We defend individuals accused of serious fraud,  including cases investigated by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as well as an increasing number of fraud allegations investigated and prosecuted by local authorities. We have extensive experience in tax fraud, Ponzi schemes, and corporate fraud under the Fraud Act 2006.

Money laundering and bribery allegations require a forensic approach, particularly where transactions are being examined under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) and the Bribery Act 2010. We also represent clients facing HMRC, National Minimum Wage, and VAT investigations, working proactively to resolve matters before criminal proceedings are initiated.

Motoring offences can result in lengthy disqualification, financial penalties, and even custodial sentences. We defend clients facing allegations of dangerous and careless driving, often using CCTV footage, dashcam evidence, and expert accident reconstruction to challenge the prosecution’s case.

We have particular expertise in defending allegations of speeding, including Exceptional Hardship applications, where our success rate is over 95%

In drink driving and drug driving cases, we frequently expose procedural errors in breath, blood, and urine testing, which can undermine the reliability of the evidence presented. We also have significant experience in fatal and serious injury collision cases, ensuring a rigorous defence against charges of causing death or of causing serious injury by dangerous or careless driving.

Professionals and business leaders facing criminal or regulatory investigations require a legal team with expertise in corporate compliance and liability. We provide regulatory and corporate defence for individuals and organisations in health and safety investigations and prosecutions, as well as in trading standards and environmental offences.

Regulatory breaches can lead to severe financial and reputational consequences, which is why our approach is focused on risk management and early intervention.

The best defence strategy begins before formal charges are even brought. Many cases are won or lost at the investigation stage, which is why pre-charge engagement is one of the most effective tools in preventing prosecution. Our team intervenes at the earliest opportunity, making representations to the police, the CPS, and other agencies to demonstrate why proceedings should not continue.

By presenting compelling legal arguments and evidence before charges are brought, we can significantly increase the likelihood of a case not proceeding. We also ensure that police questioning is handled correctly, in full compliance with PACE 1984 (Police and Criminal Evidence Act), to prevent self-incrimination or procedural breaches. If you have been contacted by the police or regulatory authorities, seeking immediate legal advice can make the difference between prosecution and case dismissal.

If you need expert legal advice, do not delay. The sooner we act, the stronger your defence will be. Our Criminal Solicitors are available 24/7/365 for urgent legal assistance, advice, and representation. We provide expert private criminal defence representation across England and Wales.

Lupton Fawcett is a Top 200 UK Law Firm, with a nationally recognised criminal defence team based in Leeds, Sheffield, and York. Our solicitors are known for their success in defending serious criminal cases, fraud, and regulatory investigations.

If you are facing a criminal investigation or prosecution, contact Lupton Fawcett today for expert legal support.