We have a large criminal defence department which includes four partners and a team of specialist solicitors, who have over 200 years of combined experience. A number of our defence lawyers are higher rights advocates who can represent clients from the first interview in the police station all the way through to a hearing in the Crown Court. Our experience includes dealing with all aspects of criminal defence. We have secured successful outcomes for clients facing the full range of criminal offences, including:
If you require immediate representation we have highly skilled police station representatives available 24 hours a day all year round. If you require emergency assistance outside the normal working hours please call 07836 574 607.
What others say about our criminal defence solicitors
Client comments
"My son and I are grateful to Stephensons Solicitors LLP staff, for all their help and guidance. They represented my son professionally and kindly, and with great understanding of his mental health condition. He and I are so pleased that we chose Stephensons to represent him."
"I spoke to Stephensons who were helpful and immediately set me up a call with a specialist in the field the next day. In the end I didn’t need their services and they fully refunded me without me asking. Would recommend."
“I would highly recommend Stephensons to anyone needing legal advice and support. I found Colin Rawson to be very friendly, supportive and professional in dealing with my case. I cannot praise Colin enough for the first class customer service and help that I received.”
“Very helpful and explained the process in a lot of detail with signposting to relevant websites. Also went at a pace that I could understand as the legal processes can be a tad confusing. Thank you.”
"Excellent service, very professional from start to finish. One off fee helps with affordability, no worry about spiralling costs. The solicitors are very kind and caring."
"We turned to Stephensons to help us deal with a sensitive and quite traumatic incident involving an accident that a family member was caught up in. Within minutes of my initial phone call to explain the situation, I was contacted by a member of staff who deals with such incidents. He immediately explained how the process was likely to play out and reassured me and my family that he would be available to assist and help us throughout the process. Nothing was too much trouble for him, he kept us informed throughout and always responded to phone calls and emails very promptly and professionally. We felt looked after throughout what was a very hard time for us to. To have legal situations explained to you when your are unsure of how these things work and to know that you are getting full unequivocal and very professional support is very comforting. I cannot recommend this company enough and I will always be grateful for the work that the solicitor at Stephensons did for us."
"I cannot express my gratitude enough to this company for looking after me so well. The key for me with this service was being kept up to date throughout and Faye did an amazing job from first call to last and many communications in between. Colin and Andrea also deserve a mention for their professional advice and efficient service. I honestly could not have found a better group of people. Thank you."
Legal 500
The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firm across the world for over 30 years, following a comprehensive research programme they recognise firms who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice.
Our criminal defence team is ranked tier one in the latest edition of the Legal 500.
“Stephensons Solicitors LLP handles a full range of complex criminal matters for clients across the country. It has experience across cases involving murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences, GBH and other violent offences, firearms and drugs offences... Recently promoted partner Colin Rawson... Martin Pizzey, who is noted for his advocacy skills, and senior associate Duncan Phillips are key figures. Correna Platt and Sean Joyce lead the team." 2020
“The ‘tenacious’ Sean Joyce is a Higher Court Solicitor Advocate and heads the regulatory and criminal justice department at Stephensons Solicitors LLP . Joyce is ‘one of the top criminal solicitors in the North West and really fights for his clients’. The department assists clients nationwide and is ‘particularly recommended for its miscarriage of justice work’... The ‘highly experienced and knowledgeable’ Correna Platt is a ‘fearless advocate’ and heads the serious crime and defence team... Colin Rawson garners praise for his ‘excellent communication skills’... In a case that attracted a considerable amount of media interest, the team secured an acquittal for its client after two retrials. The client had been charged with murder and complex issues were considered at trial such as self-defence, reasonable force and adverse inference.” 2019
If you require assistance in relation to a criminal matter please contact a member of our team, in confidence, on 01616 966 229. Alternatively, please complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you without delay.