Our Basic Recommendation

You may wish to complete our APPEALS AND REVIEWS PRELIMINARY CASE INFORMATION QUESTIONNAIRE.

Due to the numerous letters, emails and telephone calls that we receive asking for assistance, we have developed this chapter in an effort to identify our policy and to offer possible solutions. Please do not take anything written below as an attempt to be disrespectful, but, please understand that we are only human and we do not intend to be rude to anyone. We have received so many contacts since our creation, experience dictates that if we explain exactly what we can and cannot do, based on prior communications that we have had.

We are happy to talk with anyone who has been falsely accused or convicted based on what has been previously mentioned in our literature. We can be reached via the telephone number on our “contact us” page, in the event that we are unavailable; we can arrange a telephone interview at a time most convenient to you. The office telephones are manned from 9am to 5pm, in the event there is no one available messages are immediately forwarded to our voicemail.

Please do not contact us and ask, “What can we do” or “what would it cost”. These issues are carefully covered here within this literature. Frequently, we receive telephone calls from individuals who say, "I am being falsely accused” or “My loved one has been wrongly convicted” and “I have read everything”. The fact is, generally, that they have read very little, if anything. We have spent months putting this information together for the falsely accused or wrongly convicted. This information was designed to give those people a fighting chance that they may not have had otherwise.

Please do not send us an email with a file attachment that identifies your problem. We do not download any files from persons that we do not know. We are happy to read your email, so simply copy whatever was in the downloadable file directly into the body of the email message.

Please do not send us an email asking us to telephone you. If you would like to talk with us, our office telephone numbers are listed on the "Contact Page" and there is normally someone in the Office 24-hours a day (although we would prefer 9am to 5pm). If no one is available, then leave a message and we will return the call as soon as we possibly can. Normally, we are away from our offices because our work requires that we travel a great deal, but the receptionist will be able to easily schedule a telephone interview.

We receive numerous letters explaining a problem, but contain no question other than the statement, "anything you can do would be appreciated." Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to personally finance any investigation and therefore, we are unable to accept pro bono (no fee) cases. To the best of our knowledge, there are no grants or funding projects available that will pay for or reimburse a client the fees that other experts and ourselves defending these types of allegations must charge.

Please do not send an email asking us to refer you to someone else. We do not refer. In the past we have done so and the results were less than adequate. Simply put, we will not be responsible for the work of others.

Frequently we receive calls from individuals attempting to assist someone who has been falsely accused or who has been convicted based on an allegation. Many times the Enquirer begins the conversation by telling us what they are going to do, telling us what they either want us to do or think we should do. It is, by no means, our attempt to be rude, but when we do receive a call from someone, telling us what they are going to do, our response is very simple. Since you have a plan, retaining us would simply be a waste of their time and money. If, however, in the future, your plan does fail, we will be happy to discuss the matter. We will NOT fight the client. While some believe that their ideas are beneficial to the individual they are trying to help, many times the complete opposite is true. Usually they are in a panic, attempting to do whatever they can to find an immediate solution and end to the problem, BUT there are no shortcuts. In simplicity, the best approach is to retain a specialist to prepare the case, and then present it to a Solicitor for completion.

If someone, who is innocent, has been wrongfully convicted; obviously, somewhere along the line mistakes have been made. We are never ceased to be amazed by the requests of those who contact us when it amounts to nothing more than a continuation of the same mistakes which caused the conviction in the first place.

It is vital to take a "fresh" and unbiased look at any conviction. In any case we accept, specific to a wrongful conviction before we do anything, it is vital that we determine what specifically happened that resulted in the conviction. This is accomplished only by careful study of all the transcripts and the entire case file. This material provides the knowledge necessary to develop the strategy which will be used to attempt and reverse the conviction.

Please understand that we are retained on, a first come, first serve basis. We receive calls where individuals want to retain us, but for whatever reason, are not able to do so at that time, have asked that we hold open a certain amount of days for them. The fact is we have no idea if that Enquirer will ever contact us again. Therefore, it would be unfair to deny someone who really needed us because of the "possibility" of someone else planning to retain us.

If you have been falsely accused, we would strongly recommend reviewing all the Information contained in this website. In addition, and regardless of almost any situation, the following should be considered.

Obviously, in any matter that may end in trial, a Barrister is vital. Keep in mind that just because a Barrister is a Barrister does not make them care or ensure that they have the ability to defend you properly. Almost, every person in prison today had a Solicitor representing him or her. The Solicitor should be qualified in the field specifically relating to the matter you are retaining them for. If they are not, they should assign another Solicitor who is. Also, keep in mind that Barristers and Solicitors charge for their time, regardless of whether that time is spent during trial or consulting with someone. Expect to pay their fees and be realistic about the charges. If a case requires five (5) days at trial, plus preparation, it would be safe to assume the Barrister and Solicitor would spend a minimum of 30 hours and at a fee of £450.00 per hour (approx.), charges could easily amount to £10,000.00. This is a low-side figure and most Barristers and Solicitors, handling criminal cases, usually require a retainer of anywhere between £5,000.00 and £15,000.00. It is unrealistic for anyone to believe they will be properly represented for a £1,000.00 retainer.

We have had a number of messages advising that persons could not afford a Solicitor and Barrister. There is "Legal Aid" (if you qualify), but again, keep in mind that normally you get what is paid for by the state.

In most successful cases, the matter is actually won well in advance of any trial and in most instances because of proper preparation. Any Solicitor is only as good as what they have to work with and present on someone's behalf. A good and qualified Legal Enquiry Agent plays a vital role in gathering evidence and preparing a case.

The best possible advice we could give anyone in most criminal matters is to first consult with, and retain the services of a qualified Professional Legal Enquiry Agent. Allow them to prepare the case, gather the evidence, interview all potential witnesses and once everything is complete, take the final product to a Solicitor. At that point, the majority of the preparation work has been done and the Solicitor is in a much better position to analyse the situation.

We are amazed at the number of people who had a serious problem; attempted any and all possible financial shortcuts; got convicted and then spent the next five years of their life, amassing thousands upon thousands of pounds in attempts to get their conviction reversed. Regardless of the fees involved, it costs far less to properly defend prior to trial than it does after a conviction.

Finally, Barristers and Solicitors and Detectives make their living by providing their time. It would be unrealistic to take a car in for repairs and expect the work to be done for "free." It is equally unrealistic to ask or expect any Barrister, Solicitor and Legal Enquiry Agent to provide their services, including advice, without charging for their time.

We will continue and attempt to answer simple questions. However, in most cases, a person's interests are best served by proper consultation which cannot be accomplished through a simple email message or telephone call.