With Kind Permission From Billy Bragg
We offer
Expert Criminal Defence Solicitors Supporting Sheffield Clients
Criminal allegations can move quickly. A phone call from the police, an arrest at home or a request to attend a voluntary interview can leave you with very little time to decide what to do next. In that situation, the most important step is usually to get advice before answering questions or agreeing to an interview.
At Chivers Solicitors, criminal defence is a core part of what we do. Our team advises and represents clients facing a wide range of allegations, from police station interviews and first hearings in the Magistrates’ Court to serious and complex Crown Court proceedings. We act for people who are under investigation, people who have been charged and families trying to get urgent help for someone close to them.
We understand that many clients contact us at a difficult point, often with very little information about what is alleged, what evidence the police say they have or what will happen next. Our role is to give straightforward advice, explain the process clearly and provide representation that protects your position from the outset.
If you need criminal defence solicitors who can support you in Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area, we can advise at every stage of the case.
We offer
Urgent Criminal Defence Advice In Sheffield
If you have been arrested, asked to attend a voluntary police interview, charged with an offence or told that the police want to speak to you, getting legal advice straight away can make a real difference. Early advice can help protect your position, make sure your rights are respected and avoid mistakes at a stage when the prosecution case may still be developing.
At Chivers Solicitors, we support clients across Sheffield and South Yorkshire with clear, practical criminal defence advice from the police station stage through to court proceedings.
While we do not have an office in Sheffield, we regularly support clients across the region through our Yorkshire team and wider criminal defence service, including support linked to police investigations, Magistrates’ Court hearings and Crown Court cases.
Combined years of post-qualified legal experience in Criminal Law
Our Criminal Law Services In Sheffield
Chivers Solicitors represents clients facing a broad range of criminal allegations. Some matters can be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court, while others involve lengthy investigations, large amounts of evidence or trial proceedings in the Crown Court. Whatever the allegation, the priority is to understand the case early and prepare the right defence strategy from the beginning.
Serious and Violent Crime
Serious allegations need careful, immediate attention. We represent clients accused of offences including murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, violent disorder, affray, threats to kill and assault on emergency workers.
Cases of this kind often involve witness evidence, forensic material, CCTV, mobile phone evidence and detailed disclosure from the prosecution. They may also involve bail conditions, remand decisions and urgent preparation for a Crown Court hearing. Our team works closely with clients to explain the evidence, challenge the prosecution case where appropriate and prepare strong representation from the earliest stage.
Drug Offences and Conspiracies
Drug cases can range from simple possession through to allegations of supply, production, importation and conspiracy. In more serious matters, the prosecution may allege that several people were involved in a wider operation and rely on phone downloads, call data, messaging evidence, surveillance or financial material to support the case.
We advise clients facing allegations of possession with intent to supply, conspiracy to supply, county lines related offences and other complex drug investigations. If you need a drug offence solicitor or advice from experienced conspiracy solicitors, we can help you understand the allegation and prepare your defence from the outset.
Sexual Offences
Allegations of a sexual offence are extremely serious and can have an immediate impact on every part of a person’s life. These cases require careful, discreet and non-judgemental representation from the first police contact onwards.
We represent clients accused of a wide range of offences and understand the sensitivity of these investigations, including the effect they can have on family life, employment and reputation. We can provide advice before an interview, during the investigation stage and throughout court proceedings. If you need dedicated support in this area, our sexual offence solicitors can advise you in confidence.
Firearms, Weapons, Fraud & Other Offences
Our criminal defence team also acts in cases involving firearms offences, weapons allegations, robbery, dishonesty offences, fraud, money laundering and other serious or complex criminal matters. Some investigations are highly document-heavy. Others involve digital evidence, business records, bank statements, search warrants or allegations made across a long period of time.
Whatever the allegation, the same principle applies: get advice early, understand the case being put against you and do not assume the matter can be put right later if the first stage is mishandled.
24/7 Police Station Representation In Sheffield
Advice and representation at the police station is one of the most important parts of criminal defence work. Decisions made at this stage can affect the whole direction of a case, including whether charges follow, what evidence is obtained and how the prosecution later presents the matter in court.
Chivers Solicitors provides 24/7 police station representation for clients facing criminal investigations. If you are arrested or invited to attend a police interview linked to Sheffield or the wider South Yorkshire area, you can ask for Chivers Solicitors to represent you.
Police station legal advice is free, whether you have been arrested or invited to a voluntary interview under caution. That means you do not have to deal with the interview process on your own because of cost concerns.
When we are instructed for a police station matter, we can:
- Obtain information about the allegation from the police where disclosure is available
- Advise you before interview on the evidence and possible approach
- Attend the interview with you and protect your legal rights during questioning
- Advise on bail, release under investigation or charge decisions
- Start preparing the case immediately if the matter is likely to go to court
If the police want to interview you, the safest course is usually to ask for a solicitor before answering any questions.
What To Do If You Are Contacted By The Police
If the police contact you, ask you to attend an interview or arrive to arrest you, it is important not to panic. It is equally important not to assume that answering questions without legal advice will make the matter go away more quickly.
The right approach will depend on the circumstances, but there are some practical steps that usually matter straight away:
- Ask why the police want to speak to you and whether you are being arrested or invited to a voluntary interview
- Do not answer questions about the allegation without legal advice
- Do not hand over a prepared written account or try to explain matters informally over the phone
- Keep any paperwork, bail documents or interview notice you have been given
- Contact a criminal defence solicitor as soon as possible
A voluntary interview should also be taken seriously. It may feel less formal than an arrest, but what you say can still be used as evidence. The police may already have gathered statements, CCTV, phone evidence or other material before inviting you to attend. Getting advice beforehand means you have a chance to understand the allegation, receive guidance on the interview process and have a solicitor with you during questioning.
Family members often contact us because someone has been arrested or told to attend the police station. If that has happened, we can advise on the next steps and help arrange urgent representation.
Why Choose Chivers Solicitors?
Choosing the right criminal defence solicitor can matter from the very first contact with the police. Clients across Sheffield and South Yorkshire instruct Chivers because we provide clear advice, urgent support and experienced representation in serious and complex cases.
We are trusted by clients because:
- Criminal defence is a core part of our work
- We provide 24-hour police station support and urgent legal advice
- Police station representation is free
- We act in serious and complex criminal cases, including Crown Court proceedings
- We give straightforward advice without jargon or false reassurance
- We support clients from the investigation stage through to trial and sentence where needed
- Legal Aid may be available for eligible court matters
- We can support clients across Sheffield and South Yorkshire without needing a Sheffield office
- Some clients also need related advice in connected areas. Where appropriate, we can signpost support from our prison law solicitors in Sheffield or family law solicitors in Sheffield if a criminal case overlaps with prison law or urgent family issues.
Speak To a Criminal Defence Solicitor
If you have been arrested, asked to attend a voluntary interview, charged with an offence or need urgent criminal defence advice in Sheffield, speak to Chivers Solicitors as soon as possible. Early legal advice can make a significant difference to how your case is handled and what decisions are made at the earliest stage.
Whether you need help for yourself or want to arrange urgent support for a family member, we can advise you in confidence.
Call us on 01274 561 666, email us at solicitors@chiverssolicitors.co.uk or get legal advice now through our online contact form.
Criminal Defence Support Across Sheffield & South Yorkshire
Chivers Solicitors supports clients across Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area. We regularly assist people connected to Sheffield city centre and surrounding postcode areas including S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10 and S11, as well as nearby areas such as Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield.
We can also represent clients in matters linked to local court proceedings, including cases heard at Sheffield Combined Court Centre. If your case is being dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court or has been sent to the Crown Court, we can advise on the process, your options and the next steps in your case.
Although we do not have a Sheffield office, Sheffield criminal defence matters can be handled through our Yorkshire office and wider criminal defence team. That means you can still access urgent advice and representation from Chivers if you are based in South Yorkshire or your case is being dealt with in the Sheffield area.
We offer
- Motoring offence, summary only - Trial & Guilty Plea
- Guilty Plea Agreed Fee: £500 + VAT (20% = £100)
- Trial Fees from: £1000 + VAT (at the current rate of 20% = £200)
What is included?
- Attendance and/or preparation
- Considering evidence
- Taking your instructions
- Providing advice on likely sentence
- Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court
What is not included?
- Instruction of any expert witnesses
- Taking statements from any witnesses
- Advice and assistance in relation to a Special Reasons [i] [ii] hearing
- Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal
Understanding Summary Only Offences and Special Reasons in Traffic Violations
- [i]A summary only offence is an offence which can only be tried in the magistrates' court. There are exceptions. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (CJA 1988) offences specified in the Act can be tried on indictment by a jury if they are linked to an offence triable only in the Crown Court. The principal summary only offences are:
- Driving whilst disqualified
- Careless and inconsiderate driving
- Failing to give information as to the identity of the driver
- Failing to stop or report
- Speeding
- [ii] Special Reasons pertain exclusively to situations where the accused has been found or has pleaded guilty and now faces disqualification unless he/she can persuade the Court that the circumstances of the offence are such that it would be unjust to impose a ban.
How We Work
01
Initial Advice
We will meet with you to give you instructions and gather key information about what happened, regardless of your situation. Our team will consider initial disclosure and any other evidence to provide clear and realistic advice.
We’ll clearly explain the court procedure and the sentencing options available so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing. We’ll be there with you, every step of the way.
02
Case Preparation and Evidence Collection
During the next stage, we will arrange to take any witness statements, if necessary. We can advise you of the additional costs involved.
Our team will then conduct further preparatory work, obtain additional instructions from you if appropriate, and answer any follow-up queries.
Representation in Court
We provide full representation in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, and on appeal.
On the day of your hearing, we will meet with you beforehand, represent you in court, and explain the outcome clearly afterwards.
If an appeal is appropriate, we will advise you on the next steps and any additional costs involved, too.
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Criminal Solicitors Sheffield FAQs
Do you help clients across Sheffield and South Yorkshire?
Yes. Chivers Solicitors supports clients across Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area, including nearby towns and surrounding postcode areas. Although we do not have a Sheffield office, we regularly advise and represent clients in criminal matters linked to the area.
Can you attend for police station matters linked to Sheffield?
Yes. We provide police station representation for clients facing arrest, interview or investigation linked to Sheffield and South Yorkshire. If the police want to speak to you, ask for Chivers Solicitors before answering questions.
Which office handles Sheffield criminal cases?
Sheffield criminal defence matters are handled through Chivers’ existing offices and wider criminal defence team rather than a Sheffield office. You can still contact us directly for urgent advice and representation if your case is linked to Sheffield or South Yorkshire.
Can you help with a voluntary police interview?
Yes. A voluntary interview should be taken seriously and legal advice is important before you attend. We can advise you in advance, explain the process and represent you during the interview.
Is police station legal advice free?
Yes. Legal advice and representation at the police station is free, whether you have been arrested or invited to a voluntary interview under caution.
Can family members contact you urgently?
Yes. Family members often contact us when someone has been arrested or asked to attend an interview. We can explain the immediate steps and help arrange urgent representation.
Can you represent me at Sheffield Crown Court or Magistrates’ Court?
Yes. We represent clients in criminal proceedings from the Magistrates’ Court stage through to Crown Court cases, including serious and complex allegations. If your case is being heard in Sheffield, we can advise you on the process and representation available.
our trusted legal experts
“Chivers Solicitors are dedicated to providing honest, straightforward advice to clients in a friendly and cost effective way.”
Marcus Farrar, Principal