What if I disagree with a verdict from the Magistrates' Court?

If you were tried at a magistrates’ court, and you disagree with the conviction or sentence you have been given, you can appeal to the Crown Court – but you have a strict 21 day time limit to do so. Your case will be heard afresh and treated as if new by a different judge and magistrates, who will re-examine the evidence and come to their conclusion. The Crown Court case will be almost identical in format to your case in the Magistrates’ court, but will not involve a jury. Learn more

What happens if I lose my appeal?

If you lose your appeal, the original conviction or sentence will remain unaltered, and there may be additional court costs to pay. If you are not given leave to appeal, unfortunately there is unlikely to be any further action that you can take. If new evidence comes to light after the appeal hearing you may be able to submit an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). Learn more

Criminal Appeals Solicitors

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." – Martin Luther King

The British justice system, although the envy of the world, is not completely infallible. If you have been the victim of a miscarriage of justice, there are several mechanisms of law that can be used to challenge certain decisions and judgements that you feel have been made unfairly. Every case is different, and it’s imperative you get the right advice for your circumstances to give you the best possible chance.

You may have suffered from a false imprisonment, convicted on the basis of a false confession, or feel that the sentence you have been given is disproportionate to the offence. Where an error has been made, Draycott Browne’s Criminal Appeal Solicitors can help. We understand the devastating impact that a wrongful conviction can have on your life – we are one of the few dedicated defence firms who have extensive experience and a proven track record of effectively challenging miscarriages of justice.

How can we help?

If you want to appeal your sentence or conviction, we will do everything in our power to give you the best possible chance to build a successful case. This will involve giving you an honest assessment of your chances of winning your appeal.

If we think that an appeal is the right course of action for you, we will take your case, look at all of the evidence and investigate your conviction. We will ensure that the correct protocol is followed within the time frames allowed and will be with you every step of the way.

We understand the situation you find yourself in, and we will treat you with respect and empathy as we work with you. We will support and guide you throughout the process of challenging your conviction, making sure that you fully understand the process and demonstrating why we are one of the country’s leading criminal defence solicitors.