Helping Your Child or Loved One Through a Criminal Investigation

Crucially, don’t wait until charges are made; the early stages of a criminal investigation are often the most important time to intervene. In fact, getting an experienced solicitor involved immediately can significantly influence the outcome of the case. The sooner we begin working on your loved one’s behalf, the better the chances of a positive result (ideally, no charges at all).

How You Can Support Your Loved One Right Now

The single most important step you can take to help your son, daughter or loved one is to instruct a specialist criminal defence solicitor as early as possible. By engaging the Olliers team on their behalf, you ensure they have professional guidance and protection from day one. We can start by giving urgent advice over the phone and arranging to meet you and your loved one straight away.

Even if a police interview has already happened, it’s not too late. We can still step in during the ongoing investigation (the “pre-charge” period) to do everything possible to prevent a prosecution. Our role is to take control of the situation, so you and your family don’t have to face it alone.

Our Proactive Pre-Charge Support

At Olliers, we pride ourselves on a proactive, front-foot approach. We don’t wait for events to unfold – we take control. As experts in pre-charge representation, Olliers’ proactive approach ensures we are on the front foot from the outset. We preempt issues and build a robust defence strategy from day one to ensure our clients are in the best possible position.

Here’s how we can help at each stage of the pre-charge process:

Before any Police Interview

If your loved one knows they need to be interviewed (or has been invited to a voluntary interview), we move quickly to assist. We can often arrange for the police interview to happen by appointment rather than an arrest, sparing your loved one some distress.

Before the interview, our solicitors will contact the investigating officers to find out as much as possible about the allegations and evidence. This allows us to brief you and your loved one on what to expect and to formulate an effective interview strategy (for example, whether to answer questions, provide a prepared statement, or exercise the right to remain silent). Thorough preparation at this stage is crucial. We’ll meet with you and your child/loved one to explain the procedure in plain language and ensure they understand their rights. Our aim is that when the day of the interview comes, your loved one feels supported, informed, and as calm as possible.

During the Police Interview

Your solicitor from Olliers will be right there alongside your loved one at the police station. Whether it’s a midnight arrest or a scheduled voluntary interview, our dedicated criminal defence solicitors are available to attend and protect your loved one’s rights during questioning . We make sure the police conduct the interview fairly and that your loved one doesn’t say or do anything that could unintentionally harm their case. Just having an experienced solicitor present is hugely reassuring, it sends a clear message that your loved one has professional representation, and it prevents investigators from overstepping bounds. Throughout the interview, we will advise your loved one in real time (for instance, if certain questions should not be answered) and ensure that no undue pressure is placed on them. Our presence levels the playing field. After the interview, we’ll explain what happened and next steps to you and your loved one, so you’re not left in the dark.

After the Interview – Proactive Pre-Charge Engagement

The period after a police interview but before any charging decision is absolutely critical. At this point, the police (and the Crown Prosecution Service, if consulted) will be reviewing evidence to decide whether to charge your loved one. Olliers excels at working during this pre-charge phase to influence that decision in your loved one’s favour.

We don’t let the case drift. We stay in regular contact with the police, monitoring the progress of their investigation and reminding them that we’re engaged on the case. If there are any developments, we make sure we hear about them right away. By being involved and vigilant, we can often prompt the police to deal with the matter more quickly and not let it languish for months unchecked.

Our team immediately looks for any evidence that can help your loved one. For example, we might take detailed statements from your loved one and any witnesses who can support their account, collect digital material (texts, social media posts, CCTV footage, etc.) that might show their innocence or provide context, and even obtain expert reports if needed. Rather than waiting for the police to build a case, we build the defence case early. We then present this material to the police or prosecutors as part of a robust argument for why your loved one should not be charged at all. This proactive evidence-gathering can make a huge difference – it can reveal weaknesses in the allegations or prove your loved one’s version of events while memories are fresh and evidence is still available.

Make formal pre-charge representations

One of our most powerful tools at this stage is to write to the police or Crown Prosecution Service with legal representations on behalf of your loved one. In these communications, we systematically lay out the reasons why a prosecution should be avoided, for instance, highlighting insufficient evidence or showing that it wouldn’t be in the public interest to pursue the case. Our lawyers are experts in this process (we even have an internal accreditation for pre-charge representation). We specialise in making persuasive arguments against charge, looking to “nip an investigation in the bud” wherever possible. In many cases, effective pre-charge engagement by our team results in the investigation being dropped with no charges (often recorded as “no further action”), sparing your loved one the ordeal of court proceedings.

As time goes on, we continue to follow up with the authorities for updates. If forensic results or other inquiries are pending, we track those and push for timely decisions. We also ensure that the police adhere to proper guidelines – for example, if it looks like they’re taking too long without good reason, we can remind them of their obligations. Throughout this phase, we regularly update you and your loved one so you’re fully aware of what’s happening and what we are doing on your behalf. We know the waiting is agonizing, so we make sure you’re not left wondering. Our ultimate goal is to reach the best possible outcome: ideally, an end to the investigation with no charges filed. If, however, the evidence does lead the police to seek a charge, rest assured we will have our strategy ready to seamlessly transition into defending your loved one through the next steps (and we will continue to fight just as hard in their corner).

Neurodivergent Clients

At Olliers we specialise in representing young people with autism, ADHD and other neurodivergent individuals. We receive referrals from all over the country to deal with children, young people and adults who are either under investigation by the police or who are already charged with criminal offences.

Why Choose Olliers Solicitors?

Choosing the right defence team now is critical for your loved one’s future. Here’s why families across the country trust Olliers when the stakes are highest:
Proactive

We don’t wait for events to unfold – we take control. As experts in pre-charge representation, Olliers’ proactive approach ensures we are on the front foot from the outset. We preempt issues and build a robust defence strategy from day one. We take control and ensure our clients are in the best possible position.

Specialist

When everything is on the line, you need EXPERTS, not generalists. Olliers is a nationally recognised criminal defence specialist with expertise in the most complex and serious criminal cases. You benefit from the focused expertise of a firm that deals exclusively with complex and serious crime. Our lawyers are experts in niche areas, ensuring you receive the sharpest advice available from a lawyer that has been carefully matched as the best to lead your case.

Premium

This is the most important decision you will ever make so invest in the best. This is a critical investment in your life and for your future. Your future deserves nothing less than the best possible defence and the peace of mind that you have paid to have the best team possible in your corner. Clients choose Olliers when making the right choice really matters.

Safe Hands

By choosing Olliers, you gain immediate peace of mind that you’re in the safest hands. Our proven ability to navigate high-pressure situations means we provide the safe hands needed to protect your freedom, reputation and family. Our decades-long legacy is built on PROOF – not promises. We have a verifiable record of success evidenced in cases won, awards and accolades achieved, qualifications gained and client testimonials.

Client Care 

Olliers is fuelled by passion, meaningful values and a genuine desire to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. We believe that supporting our clients through their legal journey is as important as the right outcome. Olliers are approachable, non-judgemental and genuine. We build authentic, caring relationships with clients and are genuinely invested in their wellbeing.

Contact Olliers Today – We’re Ready to Help

Take action now to protect your loved one’s future. With Olliers by your side, you’ll have an award-winning defence team fighting for the best outcome and a supportive partner to see you and your family through this uncertain time. We are here for you, and we will do everything we can to help your loved one move forward with hope and confidence.
If you’re worried about a child, partner, or relative who is under investigation, don’t wait to get advice. The sooner you have an experienced solicitor handling the case, the better protected your loved one will be. Contact Olliers Solicitors for a confidential, no-obligation chat about how we can assist.

Call us on 0161 834 1515 (Manchester) or 020 3883 6790 (London) to speak to a member of our team right away. We’ll listen to the details and provide clear guidance on next steps. You can also email us at info@olliers.com or send an online enquiry, and we will respond promptly.