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Falsely Accused of Crime

Falsely Accused of Crime

Raj Chada
Partner
Ruth Harris
Ruth Harris
Partner
Caroline Liggins
Caroline Liggins
Partner
Chloe Hartnell
Chloe Hartnell
Partner
Darrell Ennis-Gayle
Darrell Ennis-Gayle
Partner
Graeme Hydari
Graeme Hydari
Partner
Jessica Davis
Partner
Kerry Spence
Kerry Spence
Partner
Laura O'Brien
Laura O’Brien
Partner
Mike Schwarz
Mike Schwarz
Partner
Sean Caulfield
Sean Caulfield
Partner
Ailsa McNeil
Ailsa McNeil
Solicitor
Amy Coulter
Amy Coulter
Solicitor
Aneka Thirurajah
Aneka Thirurajah
Senior Associate
Anna Williams
Anna Williams
Paralegal
Ben Follows
Ben Follows
Paralegal
Bethany Gerrard
Bethany Gerrard
Trainee
Casey Jenkins
Senior Associate
Earnestina Rajaratnam
Earnestina Rajaratnam
Paralegal
Eliza Bell
Trainee
Elizabeth Andrewartha
Solicitor
Ella Ferriter
Paralegal
Emily McNally
Emily McNally
Solicitor
Fatima Qaid
Fatima Qaid
Paralegal
Francesca Cociani
Francesca Cociani
Senior Associate
George Steel
George Steel
Solicitor
Georgia Prichard
Georgia Prichard
Trainee
Ghislaine Sandoval
Ghislaine Sandoval
Associate
Jessica Atkinson
Jessica Atkinson
Solicitor
Jessica Murray
Jessica Murray
Associate
Jiawen Guo
Paralegal
Justin Stuart-Mills
Consultant Solicitor
Katie McFadden
Katie McFadden
Associate
Katy O'Mara
Katy o’Mara
Associate
Kiran Mehta
Kiran Mehta
Consultant
Lara Ideo
Solicitor
Marina Afzal-Khan
Marina Afzal-Khan
Paralegal
May Spencer
May Spencer
Paralegal
Michael Ackah
Senior Associate
Priya Pandya
Priya Pandya
Paralegal
Rabiah Farooq
Rabiah Farooq
Trainee
Rebecca Field
Rebecca Field
Solicitor
Scarlett Roberts
Scarlett Roberts
Trainee
Shelby Keppel
Shelby Keppel
Consultant
Shyan MacTavish_Website
Shyan MacTavish
Associate
Somaya Yassine_Website
Somaya Yassine
Paralegal
Tosin Akinboboye
Tosin Akinboboye
Solicitor
Viviane Bablin
Viviane Bablin
Solicitor

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.

HJA Chambers firm logo 2025Our Crime team have been ranked in the Chambers 2025 legal directory. The team was described as “excellent solicitors who are a pleasure to work with” and they were praised for demonstrating “clear expertise in protest matters.”

Legal 500 UK - Top Tier Firm-2025

“They have a unique group working at the highest level on the important and growing defence of protesters who take direct action. They have able in-house advocates who have real expertise in this area.” “A full service firm with a particularly strong presence in protest law.”Legal 500, 2025

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."

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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
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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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!”

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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
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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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."

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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
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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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.

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Featured Cases

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
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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.

Further Reading
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“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