Free police station advice on arrest or voluntary interview, 24 hours a day on 07764 929487. Legal aid eligibility checked and applied for. Private funding also available.
Office
Old County Court, 56 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5XU
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
David Gray works out of the Old County Court on Westgate Road and says its crime team is ranked by both Chambers and the Legal 500. Partner Brian Hegarty, who has done criminal work since 1995, heads crime and motoring. The firm says it has in house higher court advocates for the Crown Court and Court of Appeal, and it also takes fraud, proceeds of crime and inquest work. It suits anyone facing a serious charge. Police station advice is free and there is a round the clock call out rota.
Also worth knowing
Its police station rota covers Forth Banks, Middle Engine Lane in Wallsend and Southwick.
Lawyers
Brian Hegarty is a duty solicitor and a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme, according to the firm's website.
Brian Hegarty, Partner, head of crime and motoring
Janice Hall, Partner
Michael Gibson, Senior Associate Solicitor
Amy Lamb, Senior Associate Solicitor
Josh Hart, Associate Solicitor
Hannah Mostoufi, Solicitor
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Magistrates' court representation
Youth court
Crown Court defence
Fraud and white collar crime
Proceeds of crime and restraint orders
Motoring offences
Appeals against conviction and sentence
Inquests
Office
Old County Court, 56 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5XU
Best for People in North Tyneside facing serious charges or fraud allegations
Mark Harrison, the partner who heads the crime team, is shown as a Legal 500 Leading Partner for 2025.
Senior Associate Matthew Purves qualified as a higher court advocate in 2012 and is a police station and court duty solicitor, according to the firm's website.
The firm holds a Legal Aid Agency prison law contract and runs a 24 hour, 365 day police station line.
24 hour police station line on 07800 995 885, every day of the year. Legal aid eligibility checked at the start of each case. Private clients can pay hourly or agree a fixed fee. Holds a Legal Aid Agency prison law contract.
Office
37 Station Road, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear NE28 6SZ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hay & Kilner is a full service Newcastle firm, but its crime team has its own office on Station Road in Wallsend. Partner Mark Harrison, qualified in 1997, heads it, and the firm says several of the team appear in the Legal 500. The work runs from police station interviews to Crown Court trials and the Court of Appeal, with real depth in fraud and prison law. It suits North and East Tyneside clients who want an established local name. There is a 24 hour police line, and legal aid or private funding is assessed at the start.
Also worth knowing
The firm says it holds Lexcel and ISO 9001.
Lawyers
The crime team works from the Wallsend office rather than the firm's Newcastle Helix base.
Mark Harrison, Partner, head of crime
Matthew Purves, Senior Associate, higher court advocate
Mark Styles, Senior Associate, prison law and sentencing
Karen Minhas, Associate, Crown Court cases
Brogan Shirreffs, Solicitor
Taeylor Cook, Solicitor
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Court of Appeal work
Fraud and money laundering
Firearms offences and licences
Driving offences
Sexual offences
Drugs offences
Prison law and parole
Office
37 Station Road, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear NE28 6SZ
Other details
Other offices
Newcastle city office at The Lumen, St James' Boulevard, Newcastle Helix NE4 5BZ; Stockton-on-Tees
Available 24/7 on 0191 510 1221, with WhatsApp contact offered. The firm says it will look at funding options including legal aid.
Office
35A The Side, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JE
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
DJMS is a crime only firm based in Sunderland, with a Newcastle office on The Side near the Quayside courts. Its team page lists more than 30 people. Director Paul Kennedy has done criminal defence in the North East since 2001, and consultant Andy Malik has defended since 1989, taking murder, terrorism and large drug conspiracies. It also runs prison law and parole work. It suits anyone facing a serious charge. Legal aid is offered, and the team says it is on call 24/7.
Also worth knowing
Solicitor John Turner, admitted in 2008, focuses on prison law and Parole Board hearings.
Lawyers
Paul Kennedy, Director, criminal defence solicitor
Andy Malik, Consultant, criminal law
John Turner, Solicitor, prison and criminal law
Lewis Waldie, Crown Court department, police station representative
Richard Matthews, Paralegal, police station representative
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Dawn raids and search warrants
Bail applications
Magistrates' court defence
Youth court
Crown Court defence
Fraud and proceeds of crime
Drugs and firearms offences
Sexual offences
Road traffic offences
Appeals
Prison law and parole
Office
35A The Side, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JE
Other details
Other offices
Sunderland head office (53 John Street); the site also lists Gateshead, South Shields, North Shields and Consett as locations
24 hour police station line on 07850 565 543 (police station work only). Crime enquiries by email to the crime team. Contact the firm to ask about legal aid.
Office
1-3 Lansdowne Terrace, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1HN
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
McKeag & Co is an old Gosforth practice whose crime department was set up by Clive McKeag and, by the firm's account, has run for over 50 years. Judith Curry heads it, and all three named lawyers are duty solicitors with long careers behind them. Gregg Stephens holds higher rights, so the firm can cover Crown Court hearings in house. It takes magistrates' work, serious Crown Court cases and motoring offences. It suits clients who want an experienced, small team. Police station help is on a separate 24 hour line.
Founded over 100 years ago by William McKeag, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
The firm says it holds Lexcel and that staff are Criminal Litigation Accredited.
Lawyers
Judith Curry, Head of Crime Department, duty solicitor
Gregg Stephens, Solicitor, duty solicitor, higher rights
John Kirkham, Solicitor, duty solicitor
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Serious sexual offences
Assault and violence
Theft and criminal damage
Motoring offences
Office
1-3 Lansdowne Terrace, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1HN
Police station advice 24 hours a day. Legal aid or private funding, with the firm advising which suits. Legal aid criminal defence and private client services both offered.
Office
262a Chillingham Road, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5LQ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Richard Haswell is a crime only practice in Heaton that says it has defended clients since around 2000. The team is small but well covered: duty solicitors for police station and court work, a solicitor advocate with higher rights since 2010, and a police station consultant working local stations since 2004. It takes legal aid and private cases, from first interview to Crown Court, plus motoring, confiscation and court martials. It suits people in east Newcastle who want a dedicated crime firm. Police station advice runs around the clock.
Defending clients since about 2000, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
The site shows Lexcel and Criminal Litigation accreditation logos.
Lawyers
Jack Lovell, Solicitor and Director, duty solicitor
Jonathan Cousins, Solicitor Advocate
Elisabeth Dunbar, Solicitor, duty solicitor
Paul Haswell, Solicitor
Andrew Mitchell, Police Station Consultant
Sarah Jenkins, Advanced Paralegal, Crown Court
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station attendance
Magistrates' and youth court
Crown Court defence
Legal aid criminal defence
Private client criminal defence
Road traffic and driving offences
Proceeds of crime and confiscation
Court martials
Magistrates' and Crown Court appeals
Office
262a Chillingham Road, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5LQ
Police station advice on arrest 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The firm says it holds a contract for Very High Cost Cases. Contact the firm to ask about first appointment terms.
Office
2 Summerhill Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6EJ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Tait Farrier Graham has offices in Gateshead and on Summerhill Street in Newcastle's west end, and dates its work back to 1988. Crime is its main practice, alongside family, motoring and wills. Partner Paul Barron heads a Crown Court department that takes the most serious cases, murder included. Long serving solicitors such as Peter Farrier, who trained at the firm around 1980, and Andrew O'Hanlon, qualified in 1990, are regulars in the local courts. It suits people west of the city and south of the river. Police station cover runs 24 hours a day.
Working since 1988, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
It takes appeals and Criminal Cases Review Commission applications as well as trial work.
Lawyers
Andrew O'Hanlon works from both the Newcastle (Benwell) and Gateshead offices, according to the firm.
Paul Barron, Partner, head of Crown Court department
Ian Wilson, Partner, criminal law
Peter Farrier, Associate Solicitor, criminal law
Andrew O'Hanlon, Solicitor, criminal law
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Customs investigations
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Road traffic offences
Drug trafficking and confiscation
White collar crime
Prison law
Extradition
Criminal appeals and CCRC applications
Office
2 Summerhill Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6EJ
Other details
Other offices
Gateshead head office (16-17 Regent Terrace, 0191 490 0108)
ABR is a national crime and business defence firm run from Leeds, with a Newcastle office on the Cloth Market where clients are seen by appointment. It handles police station through to Crown Court work, with a strong line in sexual offences, indecent images, fraud and confiscation. It shows Chambers and Legal 500 2023 badges and says it holds the Legal Aid Agency's Specialist Quality Mark. It suits people facing a serious or complex allegation who want a large crime only firm. There is an out of hours phone line for urgent help.
Also worth knowing
Clients are seen at the Newcastle office by appointment only.
Free, no obligation initial enquiry. Private fee paying service with fixed fee options and cost estimates on request. Private solicitors on call 24 hours a day through the Sunderland number, 0191 567 6667.
Office
137A Back High Street, Gosforth, Newcastle NE3 4ET
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Emmersons has offices in Gosforth and Sunderland. Its crime and motoring work is led by CEO Michael Robinson, who has practised criminal law since 1992 and holds higher rights. Unlike most firms on this list it presents crime as a private, fee paying service, covering police station and court work, motoring cases, fraud, POCA and parole. It suits drivers facing a ban and people who want to pay privately. The first enquiry is free with no obligation, and fixed fee options are offered.
Also worth knowing
Crime is run on a private fee paying basis rather than legal aid.
Lawyers
Crime and motoring cases are led by Michael Robinson, who works across the Gosforth and Sunderland offices.
Michael Robinson, CEO, head of motoring and regulatory, higher rights
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Motoring offences
Criminal appeals
Fraud and white collar crime
Proceeds of crime and restraint orders
Youth court
Prison law and parole
Office
137A Back High Street, Gosforth, Newcastle NE3 4ET
Police station representation 24 hours a day by phone. Legal aid work undertaken, with the firm applying for public funding for eligible clients. Legal Aid Agency contracted.
Office
A3 Kingfisher House, Kingsway North, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead NE11 0JQ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
John Donkin is a Gateshead firm that says it has been established for over 50 years. Alongside family, property and wills work it runs a criminal litigation team led by two criminal consultants, Robin Ford and Amy Rochester. The firm says it holds Very High Costs Cases accreditation for complex crime, and it takes fraud, POCA and regulatory matters as well as everyday charges. It suits people south of the Tyne who want a legal aid firm with business crime experience. Police station help is available 24 hours.
Established for over 50 years, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
The firm says it holds Lexcel accreditation.
Lawyers
Robin Ford, Criminal Consultant
Amy Rochester, Criminal Consultant
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Criminal appeals
Fraud and money laundering
Restraint and confiscation
FCA and Insolvency Service investigations
Regulatory offences
Driving offences
Drugs and weapons offences
Office
A3 Kingfisher House, Kingsway North, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead NE11 0JQ
Best for Prisoners and families challenging a conviction, sentence or parole decision
Michael Purdon founded the practice in Newcastle in 1994, according to the firm.
The firm says it has worked through the whole court system, including the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber.
Jules Purdon is described by the firm as one of the country's leading parole advocates.
Central switchboard on 0191 232 1006. Contact the firm to ask about legal aid and first appointment terms.
Office
Wards Buildings, 31-39 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EW
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Michael Purdon set up this High Bridge practice in Newcastle in 1994 and now runs it with parole advocate Jules Purdon. It calls itself a prison law specialist and acts for clients across the country, so it fits the back end of a case rather than a first police interview. It handles appeals against conviction and sentence, IPP sentences, recalls and parole hearings, and says it has worked up to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. It suits prisoners and families after conviction.
Founded in 1994
Also worth knowing
The site shows a Lexcel logo.
Lawyers
The practice focuses on work after conviction: appeals, parole and prison law.
Michael Purdon, Solicitor, principal
Jules Purdon, Parole advocate
Areas of criminal law handled
Appeals against conviction
Appeals against sentence
IPP sentence challenges
Challenges to SOPOs and other orders
Parole hearings
Recall to prison
Prison and probation decision challenges
Office
Wards Buildings, 31-39 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EW
Other details
Other offices
London (Nexus Chambers, Red Lion Square), by appointment
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with an office in Newcastle or Tyneside that do criminal defence as a main part of their work. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026, checked that it says it is regulated by the SRA, and wrote the description ourselves. Accreditations and first consultation terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. Where we have Google ratings, we show them with the date we checked them.
No firm pays for its place on this list, and the order is our own.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and figures are as published on legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK, the Sentencing Council and HM Courts and Tribunals Service in October 2026.
At the police station: your right to free advice
If you're held at a police station you can ask to speak to a solicitor privately at any time. The advice is free. When you ask, the police contact the Defence Solicitor Call Centre, and you can have the duty solicitor, who is available 24 hours a day and independent of the police, or a solicitor you name. For less serious matters you may be offered free advice over the phone instead.
Delays: police can hold back access to a solicitor only for an indictable offence, on the authority of a superintendent or above and on set grounds. Even then you must be allowed to see one within 36 hours
The caution: "You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
Someone told: you can ask for one person to be told where you are, and name up to two others if the first can't be reached
Under 18 or vulnerable: the police must find an appropriate adult, and you can speak to them privately
Voluntary interviews: if you attend without being arrested you can leave when you choose, unless you're then arrested, and you must be told you can get free legal advice
Most people can't be kept more than 24 hours without charge. A superintendent can extend that to 36 hours for an indictable offence, and beyond that police need a warrant from a magistrates' court, up to a limit of 96 hours.
After the interview: charge, bail or release under investigation
Once questioning is over, the police will usually do one of these:
Outcome
What it means
Charged
You'll be given a date at the magistrates' court. You may be released on bail with conditions, such as a curfew, if police think you might reoffend, miss court or interfere with witnesses
Pre-charge bail
Released while the investigation goes on, with a date to come back. The first period is 3 months in most cases. An inspector can extend it to 6 months and a superintendent to 9 months. After that, a further extension needs a magistrates' court, or in a case the Director of Public Prosecutions designates as exceptionally complex, a very senior officer. In FCA, HMRC, NCA and SFO cases, a senior officer of that body can extend it to 12 months.
Released under investigation
You go home with no conditions, but the investigation continues and you could be arrested and charged later
Caution
For minor offences, where you admit the offence and agree to it. A caution is not a conviction, but it can show on standard and enhanced DBS checks
If you're charged and the court considers bail, it looks at things like how serious the offence is, your record on bail and the strength of the evidence. Since 22 March 2026 it must also consider whether you're pregnant, a primary carer or a victim of domestic abuse.
Which court, and the Newcastle Law Courts
Every criminal case starts in a magistrates' court. Summary offences, such as most motoring offences, normally stay there. Either way offences, such as many thefts and assaults, can be heard in the magistrates' court or the Crown Court. Indictable offences, such as murder, rape and robbery, always go to the Crown Court, where a jury decides guilt and a judge passes sentence.
Magistrates can give up to 6 months' custody for a single summary offence and up to 12 months for a single either way offence. The 12 month limit has applied since 18 November 2024. More serious cases go to the Crown Court, which has wider sentencing powers.
Court
Address
What it hears
Newcastle upon Tyne Crown Court and Magistrates' Court
The Law Courts, The Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3LA
Criminal cases at both levels, including domestic abuse and Single Justice Procedure cases
Newcastle Civil and Family Courts and Tribunals Centre
Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QF
Civil, family and tribunal cases (including employment and benefits appeals). Criminal cases are heard at the Quayside
Prosecutions in the area are brought by CPS North East, which covers the Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland police force areas, with offices in Newcastle and Middlesbrough. People aged 10 to 17 usually go to a youth court, a private hearing before magistrates or a district judge with no jury. The Courts and Tribunals Bill, which would change how either way cases are allocated, is still before the House of Lords and is not law.
Legal aid for criminal cases
Police station advice is free for everyone. Help with court representation depends on two tests: a means test and an interests of justice test.
Automatic on means: if you're under 18, or get Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit or income related Employment and Support Allowance
Magistrates' court: adjusted gross annual income of £12,475 or less qualifies. £22,325 or more doesn't. In between, a full means test applies with a disposable income limit of £3,398
Crown Court: household disposable income of £37,500 or more is not eligible. Below that you may pay a contribution of 90% of disposable income for up to 6 months, refunded with 2% interest if you're acquitted
Interests of justice: cases sent to the Crown Court for trial pass this test automatically
Your solicitor checks eligibility and makes the application. Several firms on this list also take private clients, so ask about both when you call.
Sentencing, guilty pleas and the Sentencing Act 2026
Under the Sentencing Council guideline, pleading guilty earns a reduction in sentence. The earlier you plead, the bigger it is.
When you plead guilty
Maximum reduction
At the first stage of proceedings
One third
After the first stage
One quarter
On the first day of trial
One tenth
During the trial
Less, and possibly none
Special rules apply to murder. The Sentencing Act 2026 became law on 22 January 2026, and parts of it are now in force:
22 March 2026: for adults convicted on or after this date, a custodial term of 12 months or less must be suspended unless there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptions include being already in custody, consecutive terms totalling more than 12 months, offending while on a community or suspended sentence order or in breach of a court order, and a significant risk of harm to a particular person
11 May 2026: no 12 month time limit to finish unpaid work, and community orders and suspended sentence supervision can end early once the requirements are done
1 October 2026: new community order requirements started, including bans on driving, attending public events and entering pubs and bars
1 October 2026: for most new adult standard determinate sentences, automatic release moves to the one third point, from 40% or 50%, and the two thirds point moves to halfway. Some offences are excluded, such as manslaughter, rape and listed child sex and fatal driving offences, and the old release points still apply to them. Existing prisoners move across in stages from 1 October 2026 to 8 June 2027, depending on sentence length, and those already out on a curfew licence on 1 October 2026 move across on 12 October 2027
5 October 2026: judges must say in open court when an offence involves domestic abuse
Criminal records and when they're spent
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, most convictions and cautions become spent after a set period. Once spent, they don't show on a basic DBS check. Custody periods run from the end of the sentence, including any time on licence.
Outcome
Spent after (adults)
Spent after (under 18)
Simple caution
Straight away
Straight away
Conditional caution
3 months
3 months
Fine
12 months from conviction
6 months
Community order
The last day the order has effect, or 2 years from conviction if the order gives no end date
The last day the order has effect, or 2 years from conviction if the order gives no end date
Custody of 1 year or less
12 months
6 months
Custody over 1 year, up to 4 years
4 years
2 years
Custody over 4 years
7 years
42 months
Some sentences are never spent, including life sentences, IPP, certain extended sentences, and sentences over 4 years for serious violent, sexual and terrorism offences. Standard and enhanced DBS checks can show more than a basic check.
Newcastle criminal law: common questions
Is a solicitor at the police station really free?
Yes. You have the right to free legal advice if you're questioned at a police station, whether you've been arrested or have come in for a voluntary interview. You can ask for the duty solicitor or a solicitor you choose.
Should I answer questions in a police interview?
You don't have to say anything, but the caution warns that it may harm your defence if you don't mention something you later rely on in court. That's why it's worth speaking to a solicitor before the interview starts.
What does released under investigation mean?
You go home with no bail conditions, but the police are still investigating. They could arrest and charge you later. Pre-charge bail is different: you have a date to come back, and the first period is usually 3 months.
Where will my case be heard in Newcastle?
Most likely at the Law Courts on the Quayside, NE1 3LA, which house both the magistrates' court and the Crown Court. Every case starts in the magistrates' court, and the more serious ones move to the Crown Court.
How much can I get off my sentence for pleading guilty?
Up to one third if you plead at the first stage, up to one quarter after that, and up to one tenth on the first day of trial. A plea during the trial usually earns less, and possibly nothing.
Will I go to prison for a short sentence?
Less often than before. For adults convicted on or after 22 March 2026, if a court decides on a custodial term of 12 months or less, it must normally suspend it unless there are exceptional circumstances or an exception applies, such as a significant risk of harm to a particular person.
When does a conviction become spent?
It depends on the sentence. For an adult, a fine is spent after 12 months, and custody of 1 year or less is spent 12 months after the sentence ends. Custody of over 4 years takes 7 years, and some sentences are never spent.
