For a student, a junior doctor or a researcher on a sponsored visa, a conviction at the magistrates' court in Cambridge can cost far more than the fine: a university disciplinary process, a regulator's referral or a refused visa may follow. Criminal defence solicitors in Cambridge are used to clients for whom those consequences matter more than the sentence, and advise on them before any plea is entered.
The caseload is otherwise what a prosperous university city produces. Drink and drug driving on the A14 and M11, drugs offences, assaults and public order around the bars of the city centre, shoplifting, cycle theft in a city that runs on bicycles, and harassment and domestic abuse allegations are dealt with at the magistrates' court; cases too serious for the magistrates go to Cambridge Crown Court on East Road, or sometimes to the Crown Court in Peterborough. Fraud and computer misuse cases involving the technology companies, and regulatory prosecutions of laboratories, call for firms used to document-heavy work.
Everything starts at the police station. Anyone arrested by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, or asked to attend a voluntary interview, is entitled to free legal advice there regardless of income, and the choice of whether to answer questions, give a prepared statement or say nothing should be made with a solicitor in the room. Driving cases, from speed cameras on the A14 to totting-up disqualifications, are a steady part of the list.
Legal aid is means-tested in the magistrates' court and available with possible contributions in the Crown Court; the duty solicitor scheme covers the city. Privately funded clients should ask for a fixed fee for motoring matters and a staged estimate for anything else.
The criminal defence firms serving Cambridge are listed below, verified firms first. Read what criminal law involves, the general page on criminal law solicitors and whether you can get legal help for free; for the north of the county see criminal law solicitors in Peterborough.
