Approaching 30 Years

Types of Offences

Michael Carroll & Co represent clients facing the full range of criminal allegations. Below is an overview of the main categories of offences we deal with.
1. Allegations Involving Loss of Life, Serious Injury or Serious Violence

These cases are among the most serious in the criminal justice system and require specialist representation from the outset. We analyse the evidence in detail, obtain expert reports where necessary and provide robust, strategic advice at every stage.

We regularly represent clients accused of:

  • Murder / Manslaughter / Infanticide
  • Grievous Bodily Harm
  • Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
  • Causing or Allowing the Death of a Child
  • Administration of Poison / Drugs to Endanger Life
  • Arson
  • Blackmail / Extortion
  • Firearms and Ammunition Offences
  • Kidnap / False Imprisonment / Child Abduction
  • Robbery
  • Terrorism Offences
  • Other serious offences
2. Sexual Allegations

Sexual allegations are highly sensitive and often complex. We provide discreet, specialist advice, challenge unreliable or unlawfully obtained evidence and work with expert witnesses where needed to ensure a fair process.

We represent clients facing all types of sexual offences, including:

  • Rape (including stranger, date and child rape)
  • Child sexual offences
  • Sexual Harm Prevention Orders / Sexual Risk Orders
  • Sexual communication with a child / Grooming / Vigilante stings
  • Sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder
  • Sexual assault
  • Historical sexual abuse
  • Indecent images / Extreme pornography
  • Indecent exposure / Voyeurism / Upskirting / Revenge porn
  • Outraging public decency
  • Other sexual offences
3. Allegations of Abuse Within the Family

We act in cases involving allegations made within a domestic or family setting. These matters often involve safeguarding concerns, parallel family court issues and sensitive personal circumstances.

We provide careful, strategic advice where there are allegations of:

  • Domestic violence assault
  • Nonfatal strangulation
  • Child cruelty
  • Stalking and harassment / Breach of Stalking Protection Order
  • Coercive and controlling behaviour
  • Forced marriage & FGM
  • Breach of NonMolestation Orders or other protective orders
  • Other related offences
4. Acquisitive and Property Offences

We represent clients accused of offences involving the taking or damaging of property. These cases often turn on identification, intent, financial evidence or CCTV.

We scrutinise the prosecution case, challenge weak or inconsistent evidence and make early representations where appropriate.

We assist with:

  • Theft
  • Going equipped
  • Robbery
  • Burglary
  • Handling stolen goods
  • Fraud
  • Blackmail
  • Criminal damage
  • Taking and driving away / Aggravated vehicle taking
  • Other propertyrelated offences
5. Public Order and Weapons Offences

We advise and represent clients facing allegations of disorder or possession of prohibited items. These cases frequently involve issues of selfdefence, reasonable force, joint enterprise or mistaken identity.

We assist with:

  • Riot / Violent disorder / Affray
  • Intentional harassment, alarm or distress
  • Stirring up hatred
  • Possession of knives or blades in public
  • Threatening with weapons
  • Firearms offences (real or imitation)
  • Possession of ammunition
  • Manufacturing / Supplying / Selling firearms or ammunition
  • Other related offences
6. Drug Offences

We act in all drugrelated matters, from largescale supply to simple possession. These cases often involve issues of exploitation, modern slavery, cellsite analysis, forensics and surveillance.

We assist with:

  • Possession with intent to supply
  • Production / Cultivation
  • Importation / Exportation
  • Simple possession
  • Other drug offences
7. Fraud, Financial & Regulatory Offences

Financial and regulatory investigations can be complex, documentheavy and highly technical. We analyse financial evidence carefully, challenge assumptions made by investigators and work with forensic accountants where required.

We act in cases involving:

  • Fraud by false representation / Failing to disclose / Abuse of position
  • Possession of articles for use in fraud
  • Bribery / Insider dealing
  • Benefit fraud
  • Identity fraud
  • Money laundering
  • Tax evasion
  • False accounting
  • Trading standards offences
  • Health & safety offences
  • Other financial or regulatory matters
8. Cybercrime & Online Offences

Online offences often involve digital evidence, device analysis and communication records. We scrutinise the digital evidence and ensure that any investigation has been conducted lawfully and proportionately.

We represent clients accused of:

  • Hacking
  • Unauthorised access with intent
  • Online harassment / Online stalking
  • Malicious communications
  • Internetbased fraud
  • Making or supplying malware / Phishing scams
  • Identity theft
  • Other online offences
9. Driving & Road Traffic Offences

We represent clients facing a wide range of driving offences, from minor matters to serious allegations involving risk to the public. These cases often involve technical evidence, procedural requirements and strict time limits.

We assist with:

  • Speeding / Mobile phone / No insurance / No licence / Careless driving
  • Drink or drug driving
  • Dangerous driving
  • Causing death by dangerous driving
  • Failing to stop after an accident
  • Other motoring offences

See our Motoring Offences section for fixed fees.

10. Harassment & Communications Offences (Non-Domestic)

We act in cases involving harassment and communications outside a domestic context. These matters often involve social media, online interactions or disputes between neighbours, colleagues or acquaintances.

We assist with:

  • Harassment
  • Stalking
  • Putting people in fear of violence
  • Malicious or false communications
  • Improper use of a public communications network
  • Threatening or abusive messaging
  • Cyberflashing
  • Other related offences
11. CourtRelated Offences

We act in cases involving allegations connected to court proceedings. These offences can carry serious consequences.

We assist with:

  • Contempt of court
  • Perjury
  • Perverting the course of justice
  • Witness intimidation
  • Bail offences / Failing to surrender / Breach of bail
  • Jury intimidation or interference
  • Breach of restraining orders
  • Breach of injunctions
  • Breach of NonMolestation Orders
  • Breach of Criminal Behaviour Orders
  • Breach of other court orders
  • Other related offences
12. AnimalRelated Offences

We represent clients accused of offences involving animals. These cases often involve expert veterinary evidence, witness accounts and assessments of risk. Some matters are prosecuted by the police, CPS or specialist bodies such as the RSPCA.

We assist with:

  • Causing unnecessary suffering / Failure to meet welfare needs
  • Animal fighting / Mutilation
  • Dangerous dogs / Banned breeds
  • Other animalrelated offences
13. Immigration & Identity Offences

We represent clients accused of offences involving false identity documents, facilitating unlawful immigration or breaching immigration bail. These cases often involve crossborder evidence, expert reports and complex legal issues.

We assist with:

  • Illegal entry / Overstaying / Assisting unlawful immigration / Sham marriages
  • Possession, making or supplying false ID documents
  • Identity fraud
  • Other related offences

We do not undertake immigration advice but can direct you to appropriate providers.

14. Other Offences

We also represent clients facing a wide range of general criminal allegations. We provide clear advice on the strength of the evidence, possible defences and the best strategy for your case.

We assist with:

  • Public nuisance / Breach of the peace
  • Wasting police time
  • Misconduct in public office
  • Other general offences