Nobody charged with a serious offence in Enfield is tried in Enfield. The borough's magistrates' court has gone, so first hearings and summary trials are usually at Highbury Corner, and Crown Court cases go to Wood Green, down the A10 in Haringey. Arrests from Enfield Town, Edmonton and the Lee Valley are generally taken to the custody suite at Edmonton police station, and that is where a case is often won or lost. Free legal advice at the police station is a right for everyone, whatever their means; a defence solicitor, or an accredited representative in the small hours, will see the disclosure, advise whether to answer questions and sit through the interview.
Edmonton and Ponders End see serious violence, drug supply and weapons cases, including youth cases where the aim is to keep a teenager out of court altogether. The A10, the North Circular and the M25 at junction 25 generate drink and drug driving, speeding and disqualified driving, with the exceptional hardship arguments that follow. Business crime, from VAT fraud and money laundering to food hygiene, waste and trading standards prosecutions brought against Brimsdown operators and high-street traders, needs solicitors who handle interviews under caution with HMRC, the council and the Environment Agency. Domestic abuse allegations and public order matters make up much of the rest, and Turkish, Kurdish and Greek interpreters are a routine part of the work.
Most defendants qualify for legal aid, though the magistrates' court applies a means test and the Crown Court may ask for contributions towards the cost; a good number of Enfield firms hold a contract. Private clients, usually in motoring cases, should ask for a fixed fee per hearing.
Criminal defence firms covering Enfield are listed below, verified firms first. Two explainers are worth reading early, what criminal law involves and can I get legal help for free; the general criminal law solicitors page describes the work, and criminal law solicitors in Haringey covers the Crown Court's home borough.
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