Falsely Accused of Crime

Raj Chada

Partner

View profile

Caroline Liggins

Partner

View profile

Chloe Hartnell

Partner

View profile

Darrell Ennis-Gayle

Partner

View profile

Graeme Hydari

Partner

View profile

Jessica Davis

Partner

View profile

Kerry Spence

Partner

View profile

Laura O’Brien

Partner

View profile

Mike Schwarz

Partner

View profile

Ruth Harris

Partner

View profile

Sean Caulfield

Partner

View profile

Anna Jemmison

Senior Associate

View profile

Casey Jenkins

Senior Associate

View profile

Maxine Barker

Associate

View profile

Michael Ackah

Associate

View profile

Aneka Thirurajah

Associate

View profile

Francesca Cociani

Associate

View profile

Ghislaine Sandoval

Solicitor

View profile

Jessica Murray

Solicitor

View profile

Katie McFadden

Associate

View profile

Shyan MacTavish

Solicitor

View profile

Justin Stuart-Mills

Consultant Solicitor

View profile

Emily McNally

Paralegal

View profile

Kiran Mehta

Consultant

View profile

Christelle Chungong

Support/Paralegal

View profile

Donjeta Canolli

Paralegal

View profile

Ella Ferriter

Paralegal

View profile

Marina Afzal-Khan

Paralegal

View profile

Rabiah Farooq

Trainee

View profile

Shelby Keppel

Paralegal

View profile

Siri Beck-Friis

Paralegal

View profile

Sinéad Vaughan

Paralegal

View profile

Somaya Yassine

Paralegal

View profile

Rebecca Shotton

Trainee

View profile

Hannah Buchalter

Trainee

View profile

Rónán Stewart

Trainee

View profile

Being falsely accused of a crime you did not do will feel frustrating and invasive.

There are a number of reasons why an innocent person might find themselves wrongly accused of a crime. Whatever those reasons it will often be a hugely distressing time for those accused.

If you or a family member has been falsely accused or wrongly convicted of rape or any other sexual offences the criminal defence team at Hodge Jones & Allen can help you. We know how to defend your legal and human rights. Our large specialist team are available – day or night.

Hodge Jones & Allen_Chambers 2023_png Our Crime team have been ranked in the Chambers & Partners 2024 legal directory. The team was described as “extremely strong in terms of criminal defence and particularly protest cases” and were praised for their “dedication to clients”.

Legal 500 uk-top-tier-firm-202

“Hodge Jones & Allen are possibly the best firm of criminal solicitors conducting publicly funded work, and also offer an excellent service to privately funded clients. They have a large team that has continually prospered through recruiting excellent trainees and investing in people.” – Legal 500, 2024

Our Falsely Accused of Crime Solicitors deal with a wide range of services:

Appeals Solicitors

Extradition Solicitors

Protest & Political Interest

Terrorism Defence

Kettling: What does the law say?

Stop & Search Guidance

Criminal Defence

Financial Crime & Regulatory

General Crime

Seeking legal assistance to help defend you of a false accusation

It is vital that you seek legal advice as soon as you learn of the allegation against you. You may believe you are innocent but you should not attend a police interview without legal representation.

Our criminal defence solicitors have a full understanding of the criminal justice system and will be able to ensure you put yourself in the best position to defend yourself against any false allegations.

Our justice system in England and Wales is based on the fundamental principle of presumed innocence until proven guilty and everyone has the right to fight back against injustice and maintain innocence.

"VERY POLITE, PROFESSIONAL AND EXCELLENT ADVICE AND SERVICE. MADE ME FULLY AWARE OF MY LEGAL RIGHTS AND HOW TO CONDUCT MYSELF IN THE INTERVIEW WHICH HAS HELPED ME TO OVERCOME MY PROBLEM."

Falsely/wrongly accused of rape, sexual assault or other sexual offences

The specialist criminal defence team at Hodge Jones & Allen will closely examine the prosecution’s case. Their aim will be to consider the evidence against the wrongly accused person and to establish that one or more of the essential elements of the crime have not been proven beyond reasonable doubt

Evidence collected from police reports will be closely considered and witness, other relevant evidence may be used to demonstrate that the allegations made are false and a defence prepared on your behalf.

Contact our specialist team on

0808 271 9413

or request a call back.

What is a false allegation?

This is a claim or allegation where someone states that you have committed an offence when you have not done so. An allegation that is untrue and unsupported by facts.

“Every client matters and we always fightback against injustice to get to the truth and fight for what’s right!”

What to do when you are falsely accused of a crime?

Your first instinct may be to confront your accuser directly, particularly if you know them. It is important that you do not do this as this situation could easily escalate and play into the hands of your accuser.

Contact our specialist team on

0808 271 9413

or request a call back.

What are my rights?

Under the Human Rights Act 1998 you are innocent until proven guilty. Those prosecuting must prove guilt. There is no legal duty for the accused to answer any questions whilst being questioned by the police or at trial. A refusal to cooperate, however, may not help your case.

The criminal defence solicitors at Hodge Jones & Allen will provide you with expert advice to ensure you understand your particular situation and the steps you need to take to be acquitted.

"FROM THE OUTSET, COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVICE WERE CLEAR AND PRECISE. THE SUPPORT, BOTH MORAL AND DURING TRIAL WAS MUCH APPRECIATED OVER A VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD."

What about my right to privacy?

Unless you are under 18 years of age you will not be entitled to anonymity while a case is going through the courts. It is very important for us to be able to work with you, as early as possible, so we can take action whilst the matter is under investigation and avoid a charge being brought.

Contact our specialist team on

0808 271 9413

or request a call back.

Get in contact with us immediately

The Hodge Jones & Allen legal defence team are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – without exception on 0808 2748 226.

If you call us, we can represent you and assist you immediately. We have an outstanding team of legal advocates with a hugely successful track record in successfully defending their clients’ rights.

We also have a specialist team representing the young. Our Youth Court team represent children and young adults and are specially trained criminal defence lawyers able to deal with the complexity of each case and support young people through what will be a challenging time in their life.

Featured Case

Falsely Accused of Crime

A high profile drill music artist faced a sentence of two years imprisonment when police believed he had broken a gang's injunction that had been imposed when he performed his song 'Attempted 1.0', which had been banned. However, our client’s injunction had in fact expired, consequently leading to his wrongful arrest. The case is now with our Civil Liberties team.

type of claim

wrongful arrest

Falsely Accused of Crime

The case concerned a shooting in a restaurant in Greenford in the early hours of 18th May 2020. Our client was found not guilty at the Central Criminal Court of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to commit GBH and possession of a firearm, and was consequently cleared of all charges.

type of claim

wrongful arrest

View all

Frequently asked questions

Will a solicitor attend the magistrate’s court?

If you don’t already have legal aid in place, we can’t attend court on your behalf while this dispute is ongoing.

You should make clear to the court that you wish HJA to act and that you understand we are not able to because of the dispute.

You can ask the court to delay your case so that you can discuss with us.

Duty solicitors will be available at court, but they can only act for you under the duty scheme for your first appearance. If you decide to ask for the duty solicitor, you should make clear that you are a client of HJA and you ultimately wish us to act for you in your case.

Call us to discuss what you should do – we will still be taking calls from clients who have to go to court.

Do I have to have a duty solicitor?

Duty Solicitors will be available at police stations and at court to cover first appearances.

It’s a matter for you whether you wish to have a duty solicitor to cover your case at the police station or the first appearance at the magistrate’s court.

You cannot be forced by the police or court to have a duty solicitor.

Unless you wish to be represented by them throughout your case, you should not sign legal aid forms for court representation with the duty solicitor.

Call us to discuss what you should do – we will still be taking calls from clients who have to go to court.

How long will this action take?

We hope that the dispute will be resolved as soon as possible and we will be able to continue to represent you in your ongoing case.

Can I pay privately?

You can pay us privately if you wish.

I already have legal aid – will this affect me?

No – it only affects cases where we have still have to apply for legal aid.

Fixed Fee

We may be able to provide advice or representation to you under a fixed fee. This is particularly the case if you need representation at a single court hearing. You can ask your solicitor about this option.

Hourly Rate

This rate varies according to the seniority of the lawyer involved.

You can contact us if you would like our assistance with any of our Criminal Defence services. We will provide you with a free initial assessment of your case in the first instance and then advise you on funding options and our rates.

Whether you are publicly funded, or paying privately, you can be assured that we offer value for money and are completely transparent in our charging. This means that you will always be in control of your costs and fees, and you’ll experience no surprises.

Awards & Recognition

Further Reading

Press Releases

Statement From Lee Castleton, Core Participant In The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry And Former Sub-Postmaster At The Marine Drive Sub-Post Office, A ‘Case Study’

HJA In The News

London Bus Driver Has Been Found Not Guilty Of Assaulting A Police Officer

Press Releases

Victory For Free Press As Police Drop Charges Against Coronation Protest Journalist

Press Releases

Court Of Appeal Hearing Concludes For Just Stop Oil Protestors

View all

“A FIRM DEDICATED TO THE OLD-FASHIONED VIRTUE OF CONSCIENTIOUS HARD WORK IN PURSUIT OF THEIR CLIENTS’ INTERESTS.” - LEGAL 500 – RANKED AS TIER 1 (CRIME), INDEPENDENT LEGAL DIRECTORY

Falsely Accused of Crime

Our Falsely Accused of Crime Solicitors deal with a wide range of services:

Seeking legal assistance to help defend you of a false accusation

Falsely/wrongly accused of rape, sexual assault or other sexual offences

What is a false allegation?

What to do when you are falsely accused of a crime?

What are my rights?

What about my right to privacy?