Charles Cross police station, beside the roundabout of the same name, is where most people arrested in Plymouth spend their first night in custody, and it is where a criminal defence solicitor earns their keep. Advice at the police station is free whatever your income, by day or night, and a solicitor who sits in on the interview can stop a confused account becoming a confession and can argue for release without charge, a caution or bail rather than a remand. Plymouth firms know the custody sergeants and the local prosecutors, and that familiarity matters.
From Charles Cross the path leads to Plymouth Magistrates' Court on St Andrew's Street and, for the gravest cases, to the Crown Court at the Combined Court Centre on Armada Way. The caseload is that of a port and a garrison town: violence and public order from the bars of Union Street and the Barbican, drink and drug driving on the A38 and the Tamar Bridge, drug supply along the lines running into the far south-west, domestic abuse, dishonesty, and the sexual offence allegations that now form a large part of Crown Court lists. Fisheries and customs offences arise at the fish market and the ferry port.
Service personnel face a choice of systems. Some offences are dealt with by their commanding officer or by court martial rather than the civilian courts, and a conviction in either can end a career, so Plymouth's criminal solicitors advise on the service justice system as well as the ordinary one.
Legal aid is means-tested in the magistrates' court, and several Plymouth firms hold criminal contracts and take duty slots. Private fees should be quoted per stage, with fixed fees for motoring matters.
Criminal defence firms serving Plymouth are listed below, verified firms first. Read what criminal law involves, the general criminal law solicitors page, and whether legal help is free; Cornish clients may prefer criminal law solicitors in Truro.
