Defence Solicitors for Serious & Organised Crime Offences

Being an active or passive participant in the criminal activities of an organised crime group can carry a prison sentence, and/or a substantial fine. Even if you do not carry out any criminal activities directly, you can still be convicted for your involvement with the perpetrators.

Allegations of being involved in serious and organised crime can be complex.  Such cases typically rely on the police and the prosecution being able to prove that you were knowingly involved in the planning, coordination, or undertaking of criminal activity.

If you have been arrested and charged with a serious and organised crime offence, it is vital that you have an experienced and tenacious legal defence team on your side from the moment you are arrested and/or interviewed under caution by the police.

Here at Clifford Johnston & Co we have a specialist team of serious crime defence solicitors who have successfully represented a wide range of individuals facing charges for organised crime activities. Our team has the experience and expertise to secure the best possible outcome, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Our diligent and determined criminal law solicitors will seek to bring all the relevant facts to light, identify and expose any flaws in the prosecution case, and take every possible step to lessen the severity of the sentencing for you. If we are able to get the charges against you dropped, we will; and where a guilty verdict is unavoidable, we will seek to ensure the sentence is limited as much as possible.

If you would like more information about the kind of help we can offer you, please get in touch to speak to a member of our team.

Which Offences are Categorised as Serious Crime?

Under UK law, criminal offences fall into three categories: summary only offences, either way offences, and indictable only offences. Serious crimes fall under the category of indictable only offences, and typically involve a substantial prison sentence if convicted, often with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. For this reason, it is vital that you seek immediate legal assistance if you are charged with an indictable only offence, including:

• Murder & Manslaughter
• Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
• Drug trafficking
• Human trafficking
• Terrorism
• Some cases of Money laundering
• Serious fraud
• Rape
• Most sexual offences
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Aggravated burglary
• False imprisonment
• Death by dangerous driving
• Conspiracy to import/supply prohibited drugs
• Conspiracy to supply/possess prohibited weapons

In the UK, serious crimes carry severe punishments which can have a significant impact on a person’s life. If you have been charged with a serious crime, time is of the essence. Contact our team as soon as possible and we will advise you of your options and identify the necessary steps towards the most favourable outcome.

What is Considered Organised Crime?

Organised crime is defined by the National Crime Agency (NCS) as “serious crime planned, coordinated, and conducted by people working together on a continuing basis”. Organised crime can involve a wide range of offences and you do not need to have been directly involved in the criminal activity in order to be complicit in the eyes of the law.

An organised crime group may involve a broad spectrum of individuals working together with the common goal of conducting criminal activity. When it comes to convictions for participating in the criminal activities of such a group, the prosecution will seek heavy sentences for those who head the organisation, those involved in planning the criminal activities, those who carry out said activities, right down to lower level participants such as those providing services, materials, or information that contributes to the criminal activity of the organisation.

If you have been involved with an organised crime group and you are concerned in any way, please contact us as soon as possible. Working closely with one of our specialist criminal law solicitors is likely to assist you significantly.

What are the Penalties for Organised Crime Offences?

An individual convicted of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group may face imprisonment and/or a substantial fine. Depending on the nature of the criminal activity, there may also be other legal repercussions, including:

• Gang Injunctions – These can be placed on individuals aged  14 and over, limiting their behaviour such as prohibiting them from associating with certain people, and being in certain places. A gang injunction may also call for the individual to take part in rehabilitation activities.
• Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 – Under this act, any money and assets that are considered to have been accumulated as a result of criminal activity may be seized.
• Serious Crime Prevention Orders – These can be issued against businesses, other organisations, and individuals aged 18 or over, limiting their financial dealings, travel, and any other activity that could be deemed to contribute to future organised crime.

If you would like to find out more about the type and severity of penalties you may face after your involvement with a serious crime, get in touch with our specialist team who can explain things clearly and concisely.

Contact our Serious & Organised Crime Solicitors Today

Our solicitors are highly trained and experienced in the field of criminal law, and we have a proven success rate for handling complex cases involving serious and organised crimes. We understand the impact that any conviction and/or sentence will have on your life, which is why we strive to ensure we explore all possible avenues in an effort to (i) ensure that you are not convicted of any offence and/or (ii) reducing your sentence.

Thorough preparation is the key to achieving the best possible outcome. We will not rest until we have all of the available evidence and are able to build a strong case in your defence. This evidence may come in the form of financial records, media, telecommunications, scientific, or medical records, but you can rest assured that we will tirelessly trawl through it all when preparing your case.

Our Criminal Solicitors in Manchester are very approachable and helpful, and throughout the case we will keep in regular contact with you, ensuring you are kept up to date with how things are progressing. We are here for you, and will work with you to ensure the most favourable outcome.