Paterson Bell Solicitors > Edinburgh, United Kingdom > Firm Profile

Paterson Bell Solicitors > Firm Profile

Paterson Bell Solicitors provide confidential, impartial legal advice to private and Legal Aid funded clients. Long established across Central Scotland and specialising in all aspects of Criminal Law.

Paterson Bell Solicitors have an excellent track record in criminal defence cases, successfully defending people facing criminal charges in High Court, Sheriff Court and the Court of Appeal.

Experts in Criminal Defence

If you have been arrested or face a criminal charge, Paterson Bell can provide both expert legal advice and specialist criminal defence services. We have been involved in many high profile cases and are trusted advisors to a range of individuals & companies.

Paterson Bell has offices in Edinburgh & across Fife, providing a wide range of legal services in corporate and criminal court cases throughout Scotland.

Criminal Appeals Solicitors

Paterson Bell Solicitors have an outstanding reputation as a law firm which specialises in criminal conviction and sentence appeals. Our head of Criminal Appeals, Iain Paterson, is one of Scotland’s leading appellate lawyers.

Being accused of a crime you did not do is terrible, but there can be nothing worse than being accused then convicted for a crime you did not commit. Our job is to put those wrongs right.

If you have been convicted in a Scottish court, and you consider that you are a victim of a miscarriage of justice, you can appeal the conviction. If you have been sentenced and it is wrong, you can appeal. We specialise in appeal cases. We can help you fight the conviction or sentence. We are successful in many appeals every year.

We provide advice and representation for any appeals against a miscarriage of justice. Cases appealed from the Justice of the Peace court and the summary Sheriff Court are heard in the Sheriff Appeal court based in Edinburgh. If you were convicted on indictment in the Sheriff Court or convicted in the High Court, the appeal is to the Court of Criminal Appeal. We deal with hundreds of appeals every year, and many are successful.

Our dedicated team of criminal appeal specialists can assist you with the whole appeals process. Time limits are short in appeals, so please act quickly. Do not delay in contacting us. We can provide full expert advice regarding a conviction or sentence appeal. We can attend prisons to take instructions from any family member who is serving a sentence, (subject to him or her contacting our office directly).

Murder or Culpable Homicide Offences

Murder is committed when the accused has killed someone with an intention to kill, or acted with ‘wicked recklessness’. Culpable homicide may be committed when the accused has caused loss of life through wrongful conduct, but there was no intention to kill or no ‘wicked recklessness’. The accused may have been provoked or their conduct may not have been so reckless to constitute ‘wicked recklessness’, but remember, accidents can happen and any accused must have the evil intention to commit a crime before being guilty.

Iain Paterson has represented many individuals accused of murder. Paterson Bell can help you or your family member from the start to the conclusion of the case. We will attend the police station with you for interview, represent you at the first calling of the case all the way to the High Court. We are a team of highly qualified experts and provide clear advice throughout.

Drug Related Offences

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 criminalises some drugs, for example heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis amongst many.

Our lawyers have experience in representing clients in some of most complex and largest drugs cases in Scotland. Iain M. Paterson successfully defended a sailor accused of importing £500 million worth of cocaine which was found in a ship in UK waters. Our lawyers pride themselves in detail, in large scale or small scale drugs case detail and preparation are important. We have the resources and the staff to fully prepare a drugs case, no matter how large or small.

It is an offence for any person to import or export a controlled drug, to produce a controlled drug, to supply, offer or be concerned in the supplying or offer to supply a controlled drug to another. It is also an arrestable offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their possession.

We can provide a clear strategy regarding any charges or prosecution for supply of drugs. Our defence lawyers will thoroughly prepare and advise you regarding your case. We look at lawfulness of searches, lawfulness of the surveillance, whether the evidence is admissible or not. No stone is left unturned in our enquiries.

Charged with a Sexual Offence

This is a complex area of law and there are many sexual offences which are criminal. We help many clients in what can be the most difficult and terrible time of their life.

It is crucial you contact us as soon as possible if you are being accused of a sexual crime such as rape or sexual assault or child abuse or indecent image charges. We can advise about police interviews, how to deal with sexual offence accusations, and how to proceed in court if the case gets that far. Our lawyers are experienced in defending all types of sexual crimes. Iain M. Paterson has represented hundreds of individuals accused of sexual crimes.

Being found guilty or pleading guilty to sexual offences leads to significant consequences for the individual, such as registration as a sexual offender.

Theft, Housebreaking or Fraud

Charges of theft or fraud could even include failing to return borrowed items, if there is reason to believe that you don’t intend to return them e.g. by missing an agreed date with the owner of the property; or failing to take reasonable steps to reunite an owner with a lost or abandoned possession that you have claimed.

Harsher sentences for theft are reserved for:

• Cases where the victim is deemed vulnerable.
• Cases where theft has been committed by an organised group or gang.
• Cases where the theft involved sophisticated technique.
• Cases where the theft involved abuse of a high degree of trust or responsibility

We can advise you about the full consequences of any theft allegation and any potential prosecution.

Charged with Assault or Robbery

Assault is defined as an attack upon another person with criminal intent. That is, the intention to assault the other person. So if you did not intend to assault the person, you are innocent of assault. If you intended to assault but failed in that attempt, you may be guilty. Remember, an accident is not assault. Robbery involves the threat of violence or violence leading to the removal or attempted removal of property.

We will investigate and can represent you in court, we will advise you regarding the evidence and the full nature of the allegation.

Driving & Speeding Offences

Every day we represent individuals accused of road traffic crimes in breach of the Road Traffic Act. We save people’s driving licences, and argue exceptional circumstances.

We can advise and represent on all aspects of road traffic law, from the worst case of death by dangerous driving, to drink driving, careless driving and speeding.

Charged with Breaching the Peace

Breach of the peace is committed where the accused’s conduct is severe enough to cause alarm to ordinary people and threaten serious disturbance to the community.

The crime of breach of the peace can be committed in a wide variety of circumstances.

In terms of section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, a crime can be committed if you behave in a threatening or abusive manner, and the behaviour is likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm, and you intend your behaviour to cause fear and alarm or are reckless as to whether it would cause such fear and alarm.

Section 38 is sometimes called a statutory breach of the peace.

Confidentiality Assured

Please contact Paterson Bell Solicitors in the strictest confidence and we will meet with you to discuss your case.

Contact our Edinburgh lawyers on 0131 225 6111 or email: crime@patersonbell.co.uk for an initial free consultation over the telephone.

We are specialist criminal defence legal aid lawyers.

Paterson Bell Solicitors > Firm Profile

Paterson Bell Solicitors provide confidential, impartial advice to private and Legal Aid funded clients. Long established across Central Scotland and specialising in all aspects of criminal law.

Paterson Bell Solicitors have an excellent track record in criminal defence cases, successfully defending people facing criminal charges in High Court, Sheriff Court and the Court of Appeal.

Experts in criminal defence: If you have been arrested or face a criminal charge, Paterson Bell can provide both expert legal advice and specialist criminal defence services. We have been involved in many high profile cases and are trusted advisors to a range of individuals and companies.

Paterson Bell has offices in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and across Fife, providing a wide range of legal services in corporate and criminal court cases throughout Scotland.

Criminal appeals solicitors

Paterson Bell Solicitors has an outstanding reputation as a law firm which specialises in criminal conviction and sentence appeals. Our head of criminal appeals, Iain Paterson, is one of Scotland’s leading appellate lawyers.

Being accused of a crime you did not do is terrible, but there can be nothing worse than being accused then convicted for a crime you did not commit. Our job is to put those wrongs right.

If you have been convicted in a Scottish court, and you consider that you are a victim of a miscarriage of justice, you can appeal the conviction. If you have been sentenced and it is wrong, you can appeal. We specialise in appeal cases. We can help you fight the conviction or sentence. We are successful in many appeals every year.

We provide advice and representation for any appeals against a miscarriage of justice. Cases appealed from the Justice of the Peace court and the summary Sheriff Court are heard in the Sheriff Appeal court based in Edinburgh. If you were convicted on indictment in the Sheriff Court or convicted in the High Court, the appeal is to the Court of Criminal Appeal. We deal with hundreds of appeals every year, and many are successful.

Our dedicated team of criminal appeal specialists can assist you with the whole appeals process. Time limits are short in appeals, so please act quickly. Do not delay in contacting us. We can provide full expert advice regarding a conviction or sentence appeal. We can attend prisons to take instructions from any family member who is serving a sentence, (subject to him/her contacting our office directly).

Murder or culpable homicide offences

Murder is committed when the accused has killed someone with an intention to kill, or acted with ‘wicked recklessness’. Culpable homicide may be committed when the accused has caused loss of life through wrongful conduct, but there was no intention to kill or no ‘wicked recklessness’. The accused may have been provoked or their conduct may not have been so reckless to constitute ‘wicked recklessness’, but remember, accidents can happen and any accused must have the evil intention to commit a crime before being guilty.

Iain Paterson has represented many individuals accused of murder. Paterson Bell can help you or your family member from the start to the conclusion of the case. We will attend the police station with you for interview, represent you at the first calling of the case all the way to the High Court. We are a team of highly qualified experts and provide clear advice throughout.

Drug related offences

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 criminalises some drugs, for example heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis amongst many.

Our lawyers have experience in representing clients in some of most complex and largest drugs cases in Scotland. Iain M. Paterson successfully defended a sailor accused of importing £500m worth of cocaine which was found in a ship in UK waters. Our lawyers pride themselves in detail, in large scale or small scale drugs case detail and preparation are important. We have the resources and the staff to fully prepare a drugs case, no matter how large or small.

It is an offence for any person to import or export a controlled drug, to produce a controlled drug, to supply, offer or be concerned in the supplying or offer to supply a controlled drug to another. It is also an arrestable offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their possession.

We can provide a clear strategy regarding any charges or prosecution for supply of drugs. Our defence lawyers will thoroughly prepare and advise you regarding your case. We look at lawfulness of searches, lawfulness of the surveillance, whether the evidence is admissible or not. No stone is left unturned in our enquiries.

Charged with a sexual offence

This is a complex area of law and there are many sexual offences which are criminal. We help many clients in what can be the most difficult and terrible time of their life.

It is crucial you contact us as soon as possible if you are being accused of a sexual crime such as rape or sexual assault or child abuse or indecent image charges. We can advise about police interviews, how to deal with sexual offence accusations, and how to proceed in court if the case gets that far. Our lawyers are experienced in defending all types of sexual crimes. Iain M. Paterson has represented hundreds of individuals accused of sexual crimes.

Being found guilty or pleading guilty to sexual offences leads to significant consequences for the individual, such as registration as a sexual offender.

Theft, housebreaking or fraud

Charges of theft or fraud could even include failing to return borrowed items, if there is reason to believe that you don’t intend to return them e.g. by missing an agreed date with the owner of the property; or failing to take reasonable steps to reunite an owner with a lost or abandoned possession that you have claimed.

Harsher sentences for theft are reserved for:

• Cases where the victim is deemed vulnerable.
• Cases where theft has been committed by an organised group or gang.
• Cases where the theft involved sophisticated technique.
• Cases where the theft involved abuse of a high degree of trust or responsibility

We can advise you about the full consequences of any theft allegation and any potential prosecution.

Charged with assault or robbery

Assault is defined as an attack upon another person with criminal intent. That is, the intention to assault the other person. So if you did not intend to assault the person, you are innocent of assault. If you intended to assault but failed in that attempt, you may be guilty. Remember, an accident is not assault. Robbery involves the threat of violence or violence leading to the removal or attempted removal of property.

We will investigate and can represent you in court, we will advise you regarding the evidence and the full nature of the allegation.

Driving and speeding offences

Every day we represent individuals accused of road traffic crimes in breach of the Road Traffic Act. We save people’s driving licences, and argue exceptional circumstances.

We can advise and represent on all aspects of road traffic law, from the worst case of death by dangerous driving, to drink driving, careless driving and speeding.

Charged with breaching the peace

Breach of the peace is committed where the accused’s conduct is severe enough to cause alarm to ordinary people and threaten serious disturbance to the community.

The crime of breach of the peace can be committed in a wide variety of circumstances.

In terms of section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, a crime can be committed if you behave in a threatening or abusive manner, and the behaviour is likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm, and you intend your behaviour to cause fear and alarm or are reckless as to whether it would cause such fear and alarm.

Section 38 is sometimes called a statutory breach of the peace.

Confidentiality assured: Please contact Paterson Bell Solicitors in the strictest confidence and we will meet with you to discuss your case.

Contact our Kirkcaldy lawyers on 01592 646600 or email: crime@patersonbell.co.uk for an initial free consultation over the telephone.

We are specialist criminal defence legal aid lawyers.