Is Non-Fatal Strangulation a Criminal Offence?
Yes. Non-fatal strangulation is a specific criminal offence in England and Wales. It was introduced under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and came into force in June 2022. The offence was created to recognise the seriousness of strangulation and suffocation, even where there are no visible injuries. If you are under investigation or have been […]
How Long Can Police Detain You?
How Long Can Police Detain You? Being arrested is stressful and often frightening — particularly if you are accused of a domestic abuse or sexual offence, where the consequences for your reputation, career, and family life can be immediate and severe. One of the most common questions we are asked is: “How long can the […]
What Happens When Devices are Seized by Police?
Facing allegations of sexual or domestic abuse can be an overwhelming and distressing experience. One of the most common and urgent concerns clients raise during a police investigation is what happens when devices are seized by police, and whether they are legally required to provide passwords to those devices. In this article, we explain why […]
How To Get Bail Conditions Lifted
Facing bail conditions during a criminal investigation can be intensely stressful and disruptive, especially if those conditions affect your ability to work, care for your family, or live your life normally. This is particularly true in serious case types such as sexual offence investigations, where bail restrictions like no contact orders or residence requirements are […]
How To Get A SHPO Removed
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order, commonly known as an SHPO, can have a profound and lasting impact on every aspect of a person’s life. These orders are designed to protect the public from sexual harm. Still, in practice, they often impose wide-ranging and restrictive conditions that affect work, family life, travel, internet use, and personal […]
Can Charges Be Dropped Before Going to Trial?
Yes, criminal charges can be dropped before going to trial in England and Wales, usually by the prosecution. This most often happens when the evidence is insufficient, a key witness withdraws, or continuing the case is no longer in the public interest. The decision is typically made by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and is […]
How to Prepare for a Police Interview: A Practical Checklist
Police Interviews Being interviewed by the police for a sexual of domestic offence allegation? Our guide sets out how to prepare for interview, what to say, what not to say and why speaking to a criminal defence lawyer first is critical. Police interviews are one of the most important stages of a criminal case and […]
What Happens Immediately After a Sexual Offence Arrest in the UK?
What Happens Immediately After a Sexual Offence Arrest in the UK An arrest for a sexual offence is a serious legal matter that can have immediate and long-term consequences. Being arrested on suspicion of a sexual offence is an overwhelming and distressing experience, often immediately resulting in life altering consequences without a conviction. Under UK […]
New Law: Creating Sexualised AI Images Without Consent
AI Images are increasing, and the government are acting quickly to ensure those responsible for the generation of them are prosecuted and social media platforms are held to account for the publication of such material. Generating non-consensual sexual intimate images with AI is set to become illegal in the UK as the British government ramps […]
What Questions Do the Police Ask in An Interview for Sexual Assault?
Police interviews in cases concerning sexual assault are almost always required when an allegation is made, the experience of attending the police station for an interview in a sexual assault case can feel confronting and stressful. Purpose of a Police Interview in Sexual Assault Cases A police interview is an important step in the investigative […]