Criminal Lawyers in Newcastle: Understanding the Justice Process

Demanding justice in a criminal court for an accused crime is your ultimate right. Criminal lawyers, for this reason, represent innocents who are not guilty of a criminal offence to help them come out of the severity of the situation.

If you are recently involved in a legal issue, you must understand the criminal lawyer’s justice process before turning to a lawyer. Because it is likely to misinterpret or confuse the criminal law justice system as similar to other legal laws. And to prevent legal conviction in the right way, understanding this is the key.

In this blog, you will walk through the step-by-step process of the criminal justice process, from arrest to sentencing. Alongside, you will discover the role of a  criminal lawyer in Newcastle at every stage, so keep reading the blog till the end to make an informed decision.

Step-By-Step Guide on Criminal Justice Process

Here is everything you need to know about the criminal court’s process after a filed case.

1.     Arrest:

As soon as the police receive a warrant against you, you will be arrested. If the police believe you are a criminal, you will have to go to a police station for further questioning. Depending on the crime and severity of the case, you will either be released on bail or remain in custody.

What to Do?

• Stay calm and don’t resist arrest. It is obvious to feel aggressive when you are innocent but evoking emotions at this time can turn the case against you.
• Avoid making any statements and express your request for a criminal lawyer in Newcastle for legal representation.

2.     First Court Appearance (Bail Hearing):

This is one of the most sensitive times when you must be careful of  what you say and how you say it. You will appear in court where the judge will decide whether to grant you a bail or keep you in custody until the trial (a criminal case final hearing). If you get released on bail, it will be on certain terms and conditions, depending on your criminal history and potential impact of your release.

What to Do?

• Your lawyer will represent your case against all the odds.
• Be ready to learn about the bail application process from your criminal lawyer in Newcastle throughout the court hearings.
• If you are denied bail, a lawyer also allows a second bail application and presents new and strong evidence.

3.     Charges and Court Plea:

At your arrest, the police will charge you for a crime. Thereon, you will move to the next court appearance. This is known as court plea , where you get a chance to state whether you are guilty or not guilty of the offence. If the court confirms that you are not guilty, your case will proceed to a trial stage. However, if there is enough evidence against you and you plead guilty, the judge will decide on a punishment.

What to Do?

• Discuss your plea with your criminal lawyer in Newcastle, its immediate implications, and its long-term impact.
• Take assistance of your criminal lawyer in Newcastle who can negotiate reduced charges, keeping in mind your personal circumstances and to show remorse.

4.     Pre-Trial Hearings:

Before the trial, you are often required to be present in court’s pre-trial hearings. At this time, you will discuss the case evidence and witnesses. Your lawyer will argue for you and may negotiate a reduced charge or sentence.

What to Do?

• Trust your lawyer to handle these pre-trail motions and negotiations.
• Follow every advice to see if the plea deal is in your best interest.

5.     The Trial:

At the trial, you will be in the court stand. Both your defense lawyer and the lawyer from another party or police will present their cases. A jury listens to the court hearings, evidence, analyzes the paperwork, and verifies the testimony from both sides before making a final decision.

What To Do?

• Your criminal lawyer in Newcastle presents facts, information, and witnesses to support and defend your criminal case.
• Remain as calm and composed during the trial to expect early and in-favour judgement.

6.     Sentencing:

The judge ultimately decides the sentence for your specific case, severity, and the possible loss out of the crime. There are many factors, depending on the crime, criminal history, mitigating, and aggravating circumstances.

What to Do?

• Your lawyer presents suitable reasons to reduce the criminal charges, like first-time offence, genuine remorse, or potential impact of charge on family or job.
• You must be ready to join the rehabilitation program, if your lawyer recommends it as the ideal solution.

7.     Appeal (If Applicable):

This is the last and final stage where you can proceed your case to a higher court. If your sentence is too harsh or if you think that your judge is wrong in the act, then requesting an appeal can help review your decision.

Final Words

We hope you found this blog useful. As you see, a legal court’s process behind a crime is complex and might depend on the severity of the case. And so, understanding the role of a  criminal lawyer in Newcastle at every stage becomes an obvious approach.

Now that you are familiar with the court’s legal proceedings, take the time to consult an expert criminal lawyer for the best justice. Oxford Lawyers, with over 30 years of expertise in handling minor to major criminal offences like theft, drug possessions, traffic violation, or domestic abuse is your ultimate guidance for winning complex legal proceedings.