Perverting the Course of Justice

Have you been charged with perverting the course of justice? Our team of expert solicitors can help to put together a strong defence strategy, with the hopes of reducing your punishment given by the local Court.

Here at 1Solicitors, we understand that being notified of your charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice can be traumatic. Whether you’re struggling to get to grips with being charged with the severe legal offence or you’re wanting to find a way to appeal the case, you may be looking for expert solicitors to support you throughout the process.

For that reason, we have a dedicated team of defence lawyers and legal experts that will provide you with everything you need to know about an upcoming Court case or charge. Clearly explaining your rights as a citizen and as a defendant, we offer 24/7 legal support throughout the entire process.

What is “perverting the course of justice”?

One of the most common crimes in the UK, you may be charged with perverting the course of public justice if you’re attempting to directly mislead the direction of a Court case. For many individuals, the motivation behind the crime is to prevent them from being punished from their previous offences that they have committed.

The course of justice process starts when:

• The original offence has occurred, and it is expected that an investigation will follow
• The investigations that could signpost further legal proceedings have actually started
• The legal proceedings have actually started (i.e. the case is being presented in Court)

“Tampering with evidence”, “fraud”, “manipulation” and “perjury” are other names for perverting the course of justice.

How do you get charged with it?

Literally meaning to sway the result of a Court case, you will be charged with perverting the course of public justice if you’re found to be:

Fabricating evidence

A Court case is likely to have evidence that supports (or defends) the person being charged with it. This is an extremely valuable asset and you will be charged with perverting the course of justice if you attempt to fabricate, destroy or remove evidence. One example of this is throwing away important photographs in the hope that they don’t go against the offender in the Court trial.

Interfering with a witness, judge or case

You’ll also be charged with perverting the course of justice if you have been found to interfere with a witness, a case or the Judge ruling it. This includes threatening any of these people, with the hope of them defending you in the hearing.

Falsely accusing somebody of a crime

You can also be charged for this offence if you have been found to falsely accuse somebody else of a crime, even if it’s not you who is being questioned in Court. This is referred to as ‘perjury’ and classed as somebody making a statement that they know not to be true.

How are these claims processed in Court?

In order for the sentence of perjury in the UK to commence, the person being convicted must have made a positive action. This means that the attempt to pervert the course of justice must have occurred between the period of justice, outlined above.

Consequences of attempting to perverting the course of justice

If you’re found guilty of perverting the course of justice, you could receive a maximum penalty of life in prison. This depends on the severity of the crime, although ten years is the longest sentence that has been passed recently.

On the other hand, the sentence of perjury UK carries a maximum penalty of a fine, plus/or up to seven years in prison.

Perverting the course of justice examples

One of the most high-profile cases of attempting to pervert the course of justice was when Karen Matthews and Michael Donovan created a case to say that their daughter, Shannon, had been kidnapped. A major national search for her began and a large reward was offered to anybody who found Shannon.

Just three weeks after Matthews and Donovan issued the missing child report, she was found safe and in Donovan’s home. They had lied about the case in order to share the reward money, but were found guilty of perverting the course of justice and were sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

Can I appeal a claim against me?

Despite it being a very serious crime, there are possible defences that our team of solicitors may be able to use when putting together your defence strategy. However, we are legally obliged to ensure that these are accurate (otherwise we’d face the charge ourselves!).

A genuine error or mistake is just one example, although we can work to remove the charge for defendants who committed the offence because it was absolutely necessary.

Why choose our team of expert solicitors?

When our team get to grips with your case, it’s not just the compelling defence strategy that we can put together to give you a high chance of success. We also offer:

Clear pricing structure from the outset

Unlike many other solicitor’s firms, we’re proud to offer a clear approach to our pricing structure. You won’t receive a large bill that you’re not prepared-for in advance, and you won’t experience any added or unexpected costs from working with our team. This applies right from your initial appointment to the end of your case!

24/7 legal advice and support

We also offer 24/7 legal advice and unlimited support for people who have been charged with perverting the course of public justice. That means you’re free to speak with our team at any time, with the fees clearly outlined from the outset.

Convenient Skype appointments

We understand that you may live a distance from our lawyers’ offices. For that reason, we offer convenient Skype appointments for defendants wishing to speak with our team when experiencing their trial of attempting to pervert the course of justice. This, combined with our outstanding 24/7 legal support, means that you’re well-equipped and well-prepared for your case.

Not sure what to do about your notice of sentence for perjury?

Being convicted (or tried) for this crime is a serious offence. We understand that, which is why our team of solicitors and defence lawyers are always on-hand to support you throughout the process. From explaining your rights as a defendant to offering 24/7 advice, there’s no better way to proceed with your sentence for perjury or attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Book your initial appointment today!

Because these cases are serious and may take a while to put together a successful defence strategy, we recommend that you discuss your options with a qualified legal professional as soon as possible.

To book your initial appointment today or enquire about how we can help you with a charge for perverting the course of justice, simply contact us online or request a call back. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Can I be charged with perverting the course of justice if I lie at the police station?

Yes. Because this is a key part of the legal process that you’re tampering with, you could be charged with perjury. This usually happens when you file a report against somebody else committing a crime, even if you know that they haven’t.