FAQ's
Question: Will I qualify for legal aid?
Not all solicitors can offer legal aid, but we can! At The Johnson Partnership we are franchised to provide a legally aided service to clients with criminal law problems.
More than 93% of our clients qualify for legal aid.
Everyone detained in a police station or interviewed under caution qualifies for legal advice and assistance free of charge, irrespective of means.
A great many people appearing in the Magistrates’ Court qualify for legal advice and representation free of charge, unless they face very minor matters, but there is now a means test.
Almost everyone appearing in the Crown Court qualifies for legal advice and representation free of charge and irrespective of means, but unsuccessful defendants may be ordered to pay all or part of their own legal fees.
Question: Are there any other ways of paying for my case?
You can fix to pay us privately with one payment or by instalments. Ask for a quote or check charging rates during your initial free consultation.
Question: When I instruct The Johnson Partnership who will look after my case?
At our first meeting you will be told the name and details of the lawyer or lawyers who will be handling your case. You will be provided with details of the partner who will be supervising your case at all times. The nature of our work means that a small team of lawyers is likely to handle your case. If at any time you feel you would like to see a particular member of the team just ask!
Question: How do I know I will get a top quality service?
The Johnson Partnership is a member of the Specialist Fraud Panel. Only firms with a proven track record for providing top quality service to clients facing complex, financial prosecutions, are able to become members of the panel. Your case will be supervised by a specialist fraud supervisor, who will take personal responsibility for insuring that all of the work carried out on your behalf meets our exacting standards.
Question: How long will my case take?
Inevitably, this depends on the type of the case and the strength of the evidence. Some cases finish in minutes, where we can persuade police officers that evidence is weak and charges can’t be justified. Some cases literally take years where the enquiries are long and the issues are complex and multi-facited. Wherever possible we let you dictate the timetable. For some clients, “speed is of the essence”. For other clients a slower, more thoroughly explained, forensic approach is required.
Question: What kind of work do you do?
We specialise in Criminal Defence work of all types. As the largest criminal defence practice in the country we regularly deal with clients who are under investigation or who have been prosecuted in connection with deceptions, false accounting, fraudulent trading, corporate manslaughter, confiscations, impropriety of company directors, VAT and other duty evasions, money laundering, malfeasance in public office, forgery, mortgage fraud, insider dealing, smuggling, bribery, environmental offences, tax evasion, credit card offences, internet crime, health and safety transgressions, tachograph offences, unlawful importations, professional disciplinary tribunals and trading standards breaches. We guarantee you that every case will be handled with the expertise it deserves.
Question: What if I have a case outside of the East Midlands?
The Johnson Partnership will act for you anywhere in England or Wales. With over 50 trained lawyers we are able to honour our commitment to providing a personal service that guarantees a high level of continuity and satisfaction for all our clients. |
