As Scotland’s supreme criminal court and court of criminal appeal, the High Court of Justiciary only hears the most serious criminal cases such as allegations of murder, sexual offences and serious drug offences. Unlike the Sheriff Court, the High Court isn’t subject to any limits in the length of prison sentence it can impose nor in the amount that it can find someone found guilty of a common law offence. It’s therefore vital that those being prosecuted for a crime or launching an appeal in Scotland’s High Court are advised and represented by experienced and effective criminal defence lawyers.
As one of the leading criminal defence firms in Scotland, we have significant experience conducting serious criminal cases and appeals in the High Court. Our high success-rate is testament to our thorough, diligent and robust approach.Our legal firm is widely recognised as one of Scotland's leading criminal defence teams and will work hard to ensure you have the best possible outcome. For more information, please contact us for a free, initial discussion about your case.
High Court Criminal Trials in Scotland
Trials held in the High Court, whether sitting in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen, follow the solemn procedure (less serious prosecutions follow the summary procedure). Under this more serious prosecution procedure, the accused makes their first court appearance in private. It’s during this initial hearing that the accused’s solicitor can argue that their client be released on bail before trial.
Next comes the preliminary hearing, when the accused enters a plea (guilty or not guilty) to each charge. If the plea is not guilty, the case proceeds to trial. High Court criminal trials are conducted with a judge and jury of up to 15 people. The role of the defence is to cross-examine, disrupt and scrutinise the evidence and arguments submitted by the Crown. When defending clients in the High Court, our aim is to expose the weaknesses and inconsistencies in the Crown’s evidence, while putting forward a strong defence on our clients’ behalf.
High Court Criminal Appeals in Scotland
Unfortunately, miscarriages of justice and wrongful convictions do occur. If this is the case, it’s vital to act quickly. Our criminal defence solicitors have vast experience assisting clients to appeal a conviction and/or sentence in the High Court. If you or a loved one has been wrongly accused and convicted, please contact us.
High Court Criminal Defence Experts in Alloa, Fife, Edinburgh & Dundee
At MJS Criminal Defence Lawyers, our team of specialist criminal defence lawyers have been defending clients in Scotland’s supreme criminal court for many years. We’re well-known for our experience navigating the criminal justice system and solemn procedure, as well as our thorough, technical and proactive approach when defending our clients in serious criminal cases. Our Consultant Gordon Martin can represent individuals in high court trials.
We pride ourselves on scrutinising allegations made against our clients and forensically analysing evidence, all aimed at ensuring our clients have the strongest defence possible. We work closely with them and experts to design and implement effective defence strategies, and use our extensive advocacy skills to ensure they are robustly defended in court.
Contact our High Court Defence & Criminal Appeals Lawyers Scotland
Our criminal solicitors can assist by discussing your options with you confidentially, and are ready to fight your corner. We provide a fully comprehensive legal service from liaising with the police through to representing you in court. Call our criminal defence lawyers for a free, initial consultation in Dunfermline on 01383 730 466, in Kirkcaldy on 01592 640 680, in Alloa on 01259 725 922 or make an online enquiry.