Charged - selecting a solicitor

[Mr3]

Hi all,

No great surprise, I was charged recently. I now have to select a solicitor. I'm thinking of:

Chris Saltrese (No 1 choice!) or
Kelcey and Hall (Because I might get some legal aid)

Location is irrelevant to me, I just want the best. Would anyone recommend I contact anyone else?

Money is an issue, and I've heard Chris Saltrese may accept installments; can anyone comment on initial costs?

Thanks :-)

[Rights Fighter]

It depends on where any trial would be re costs. You would need to ring Southport office to find out roughly how much it would cost.

Ian Kelcy is in Bristol and serves that area. Is this where your trial would take place? Legal aid will not pay for a solicitor out of the area, unless they use agents, because it would mean that their travel and overnight costs would have to be found. I don't recommend the use of agents as they won't have such a good handle on the case.

[Mr3]

My understanding is the trial would be in Worcester Crown Court. If you have to go with someone local for legal aid, I'd rather not. As there's no one good local.

[Rights Fighter]

You don't know that for sure. A good barrister for that area would be Andrew Baker from No 5 Chambers BIrminghan

[Mr3]

No, absolutely, I doubt anyone can know until I'm told. I'll be phoning Chris Saltrese on Monday to find out about costs. I think that's probably the only way to find out the costs! I assume every case is different in terms of time required.

[Rights Fighter]

Hopefully Chris is in the office - ring later morning or afternoon. Tuesday might be better as the practice manager is in then

[Mr3]

Great, thanks very much for the help.

[is there justice?]

Sorry to hear you have been charged. Dig in and get a great legal team. If I was you I would do anything legally possible to get the best proven legal assistance. Don't rely on common sense winning the day.