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The 5 Best Criminal Defence Solicitors in Aberdeen to Protect Your Rights

  • Qualifications – The team should have proper expertise, credentials, and knowledge of current laws and the legal system.
  • Process and representation – We assessed firms using an effective procedure, considering consultation, litigation, document processing assistance, and other matters.
  • Client support – It’s crucial for the firm to provide support before, during, and after the case to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
  • Price – We listed firms with reasonable rates, considering their flat rates, processing fees, and representation fees.

Things can take a turn fast. It could be a moment of oversteering that leads to a road accident, an unexpected involvement in fraud, or even serious allegations like abuse, and suddenly you’re on the side where handcuffs and prison bars feel uncomfortably close.

That’s why my team and I reviewed the best criminal defence solicitors in Aberdeen who can help you make the 180-degree turn you need, whether that means reducing a sentence or having charges dropped altogether. 

Keep reading to find out which one could stand by you and fight for your rights or your innocence. 

1. Hingston’s Law Limited

hingston-s-law-limited

Services: Criminal defence

Address: 13 Marischal St

Contact Details: +44 1224 562300

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday: 9 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 4 PM

Website

Google reviews score5/5
Facebook reviews score5/5
Review Solicitors score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Qualifications5/5
Process and representation5/5
Processing assistance5/5
Representation and results 5/5
Client support4.5/5
Responsiveness5/5
Availability 4/5
Price (A higher score means better value)5/5

Having Hingston’s Law Limited on your side means you get advice and legal representation from a team that focuses on defending criminal charges every day and understands local courts well. Their resources and expertise are concentrated on defending criminal cases.

We noticed that working with them feels like having your own corner, especially with their legal team, bringing a range of experience to cases and managing details more effectively behind the scenes.

Their reaction time to jumping into cases is also a big win. We love that they’re incredibly willing to take on criminal cases even without prior arrangement on fees, deposit, or charges, showing how proactive and competent they are during critical moments.

Just note that they’re closed on weekends, so you might not get to reach them outside office hours, particularly if you’re not an existing client.

The silver lining? They’re conveniently located opposite the High Court and close to the Sheriff Court, which means it’s easier and faster for them to attend hearings and urgent meetings. 

Pros

  • Specialises in criminal defence
  • Highly reliable representation
  • Experienced legal team
  • Personalised and supportive approach 
  • Located opposite the High Court

Cons

  • Closed on weekends

Exceptional support and professionalism 

“I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Hingston’s Law Limited for their exceptional support and professionalism in handling my family and criminal matters…”

Sunday Segilola, Google Review

Performed a miracle 

“The company came to help me at time when I was totally stuck they have performed a miracle and out preferred what was even possible if you are in any doubt believe me they are they company to help they are there to listen and will work with you to make your situation as good as mine thanks very much to all your staff”

Alastair Pattison, Google Review

2. Burnett Criminal Defence

burnett-criminal-defence

Services: Criminal defence: theft, drugs, assault, sexual offences, road traffic and public order charges

Address: 48A Union St

Contact Details: +44 7515 964194

Operating Hours: 24/7

Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews3/5
Score consistency 5/5
Qualifications5/5
Process and representation4.5/5
Processing assistance4.5/5
Representation and results 5/5
Client support4.5/5
Responsiveness4.5/5
Availability 5/5
Price (A higher score means better value)5/5

At the helm of Burnett Criminal Defence, Michael Brunett LLB (Hons), Dip LIP has over 18 years of experience and extended rights of audience in the High Court of Justiciary. This sort of High Court qualification is rare in the North East of Scotland.

That said, they can represent you at all court levels, such as Justice of the Peace Courts, Sheriff Courts, and the High Court. So, your solicitor can take your case from initial hearings all the way to high-level trials if it escalates; no need to look for a new one.

It’s also worth mentioning that their services cover offences from regulatory charges and road traffic matters to serious crimes like sexual offences and assaults. 

But we did notice that they have a smaller team than others, which might limit their bandwidth during peak caseloads.

On the bright side, we like that if you don’t qualify for Legal Aid, you can use their fixed fee option to avoid unexpected costs for your defence.

Pros

  • Wide range of criminal defence expertise
  • Represents all court levels
  • Handles serious and sensitive offence categories
  • Offers fixed fee option

Cons

  • Has a small team

Got me through a hard time 

“Can I just say how professional micheal is great at understanding situations and got me through a hard time he was understanding and such a nice person I would 100% use him again if needed be.”

Kyle Howles, Google Review

Treating with me respect and compassion

“Michael has been a great solicitor, keeping me informed of the process along the way and treating me with respect and compassion. 100% would recommend him to anyone requiring legal assistance.”

Anil Parlak, Google Review

3. Lefevre Litigation

lefevre-litigation

Services: Criminal defence: road traffic offences, drug-related charges, assault, theft, sexual offences, breach of the peace, football-related crimes, fraud, domestic offences

Address: 40 Carden Pl

Contact Details: +44 1224 003544

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM

Website

Google reviews score4.7/5
Facebook reviews score5/5
Yell reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 4.9/5
Qualifications5/5
Process and representation4.5/5
Processing assistance5/5
Representation and results 4.5/5
Client support4.5/5
Responsiveness5/5
Availability 4/5
Price (A higher score means better value)5/5

Right off the bat, we like that Lefevre Litigation’s team brings together over 70 years of collective experience in criminal law. So, you can expect deeper planning and confidence thanks to decades of insight and strategy behind every case they’ve done.

On that note, it’s no surprise that they handle a wide range of criminal defence cases like road traffic, complex fraud, and sexual offences. 

We’re also glad that they’re experienced in summary cases, sheriff court hearings, jury trials, and High Court defence work, especially if your case escalates or involves serious charges. 

The only thing missing is that they won’t be able to assist you with property disputes, family law, or civil law against other people.

Nonetheless, we can’t deny their expertise, especially if you’re after one-on-one guidance, and you can easily gauge them via their free 20-minute initial consultation. 

Pros

  • Over 70 years of collective experience
  • Wide range of criminal defence services
  • Represents serious and high-level cases
  • Offers free 20-minute initial consultation

Cons

  • Closed on weekends
  • Doesn’t assist with property disputes, family law

Got me the best outcome 

“I’d highly recommend Gregor and Lefevre Litigation, their professionalism and skills are top class. Gregor got me the best outcome and thanks to him I still got my license.”

YOUBEENKICKED YOUBEENINVITED, Google Review

Best result possible given the circumstances 

“From start to finish, I couldnt have asked for a better solicitor to handle my case. Gregor is extremely professional and straight to the point and got the best result possible given the circumstances we were in.”

Stevie Paterson, Google Review

4. Gail Goodfellow, Solicitor Advocate

gail-goodfellow-solicitor-advocate

Services: Criminal defence: road traffic offences, assault, sexual offences, fraud, theft and robbery, breach of peace, internet crime, firearms and murder

Address: 49 Castle St

Contact Details: +44 1224 878417

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM

Website

Google reviews score4.6/5
Facebook review score5/5
Yell review score5/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency 4.9/5
Qualifications5/5
Process and representation5/5
Processing assistance5/5
Representation and results 5/5
Client support4.5/5
Responsiveness5/5
Availability 4/5
Price (A higher score means better value)4/5

With over three decades of criminal defence experience, Gail Goodfellow, Solicitor Advocate, continues to represent clients in the High Court of Justiciary. Her experience also shows valuable familiarity with Scottish criminal law and courtroom practice.

Speaking of courtroom practice, we have to give a nod to her regular appearance in the High Court, Sheriff Court, and Justice of the Peace Court. Practical experience like hers can be a game-changer in strategising, reducing uncertainty, and achieving the best outcome. 

We also can’t ignore the fact that they can take on different cases, from road traffic charges and fraud to assaults and murder. 

The catch? We find their hourly rates to be quite pricey, especially if you’re not qualified for Legal Aid. 

Still, it’s nice to have someone like them on your side, and you can even get them to defend your case as early as police interviews.

Pros

  • Over 30 years of experience
  • Regular court appearance
  • Provides police interview support
  • Broad expertise 

Cons

  • Closed on weekends
  • Hourly rates can be slightly pricey

Ability to adapt in difficult situations

“Caitlin and Gail are amazing to deal with highly professional knowledgeable and the ability to adapt in difficult situations and difficult cases…”

Diana Thomas, Google Review

Secured a positive result 

“Fantastic solicitors who take the time to care and listen. Always had time to settle nerves or answer even the most stupid of questions. And most importantly secured a positive result!”

Ryan Whelan, Google Review

5. Woodward Lawson Court Solicitors

woodward-lawson-court-solicitors

Services: Criminal defence, building disputes, civil litigation, road traffic offences, contractual disputes, debt collection, guardianship, boundary disputes

Address: 7 Queen’s Gardens

Contact Details: +44 1224 619330

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM

Website

Google reviews score4.6/5
Total reviews3/5
Score consistency 5/5
Qualifications5/5
Process and representation5/5
Processing assistance4.5/5
Representation and results 5/5
Client support4/5
Responsiveness5/5
Availability 3/5
Price (A higher score means better value)5/5

It’s reassuring to know that Woodward Lawson Court Solicitors provides representation across all major criminal courts in Scotland. So, say your case suddenly shifts to a different court level, you can have some peace of mind knowing you’ll still be working with the same solicitor. 

Given the range they have across court levels, we also like that they can work on different kinds of charges, including theft, assault, fraud, public order, sexual offences, and traffic offences.

And unlike larger firms, they guarantee that the principal lawyer handles your case. Here’s the thing, though: with only one main solicitor for defence, it limits their capacity to take on more cases at a time.

Regardless, we have to give them props for properly taking care of their clients, especially with their 24/7 support to address any issues, police interviews, or urgent court hearings. 

Pros

  • Coverage in all major criminal courts
  • Has 24/7 support
  • Assists with Legal Aid
  • Broad criminal offence experience 

Cons

  • Closed on weekends
  • One main solicitor for representation 

Handled the case very well 

“Had the pleasure of Ian of Woodward Lawson Solicitors , representing me in case, that I was not guilty of. He handled the case very well , representing me till the end outcome, which was the desired outcome. Was very supporting and professional, would highly recommend”

Helen McMillan, Google Review

Managed to clear my name

“Ian and the team have done an outstanding job. I was charged with two charges, and they managed to clear my name. They have handled my case with confidence and slick professionalism. From day one, I knew I was in good hands. Thank you, Ian.”

Amr Hamed, Google Review

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