EncroChat Offences

EncroChat Legal Defence Solicitors

Have you – or a friend or family member – been affected by the police hacking of the EncroChat network or other secured communications? Ashmans Solicitors’ highly specialised criminal defence team is ready to protect your interests and your freedom.

When EncroChat’s servers were infiltrated by government entities in April 2020, the authorities seized encrypted data that allegedly linked thousands of individuals to criminal activity. Scores of arrests have followed, with the police pursuing allegations of murder, rape, serious violence, drugs offences and financial crimes. Arrests will continue over the months and years to come as police work their way through what has been described as the “deepest-ever UK operation into organised crime.”

Time is of the essence! Having skilled, specialised legal representation early in the process could mean the difference between questionable or even illegally obtained evidence being included or excluded from your trial and that could be what turns a near-certain conviction into a lesser charge or even an acquittal. Ashmans’ skilled criminal defence team is standing ready to assist whether you have already been arrested, are anticipating being interviewed under caution, or better still if you are concerned about the possibility of police investigation based on information that may have been gathered in the EncroChat hacks.

Our criminal defence team specialise in complex cases, often involving serious issues like murder, violence, firearms or drugs offences. In cases involving the EncroChat hack or similar improper gathering of evidence, we can provide simple, direct and easy to follow advice, as well as making sure that the police are held to the highest standards of behaviour when exercising their powers to search your papers, phones and other digital devices. The key now is to avoid making any new mistakes – which is why you need a specialist defence team like Ashmans straight away!

We have helped clients all over the UK protect their reputations, their families and their very freedom by ensuring that all of their rights were respected in court, and we can do the same for you. Our track record is excellent, and even if we cannot prevent a conviction, we can often secure reduced sentences and alternatives to jail time.

Why should I choose Ashmans Solicitors to represent me?

We are dedicated to providing world-class service to all of our clients, and we specialise in protecting your rights and reputation even in routine police interviews and investigations.

24 HOUR Criminal Defence HOTLINE- 0333 009 6275

We make sure an experienced, fully qualified member of our Criminal Defence Team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even during public holidays.

EVENING & WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS

We regularly arrange after-hours appointments, as we understand that most of our clients work 9 to 5 as well. We even arrange meetings at your home or place of care, if you have mobility issues.

REAL EXPERT ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE

We have built a reputation on protecting our clients during police interviews, and by ensuring that improperly obtained evidence is not used against them. We understand exactly what is needed to achieve the best possible resolution, and nothing is left undone.

How Can Ashmans Solicitors help me?

There are many ways we can help you protect your reputation, your livelihood and your freedom. The specifics will depend on your exact situation, but in general, we can speak for you and ensure that all of your rights are respected in relation to:

• Interviews at the police station

We hold a Legal Aid contract, and we can provide legal advice at police stations and interviews (whether ‘interviews under caution’ or not), making sure that you are protected.

• Advice in anticipation of arrest

The best time to retain the services of a criminal defence solicitor is before you are arrested, or even questioned. If you believe you may be at risk of a police investigation or arrest doe to the EncroChat hack or related events, now is the time to call.

We have often been able to help our clients avoid charges entirely. We can help you decide what to do if you are released under investigation, and should you eventually be charged with any offence, we can be by your side throughout every stage of your prosecution. This will give you the best possible chance to avoid conviction secure an acquittal or at least a reduced penalty or custodial sentence.

Drugs Offences

We have decades of combined experience defending against drug-related charges and can ensure that you have the best possible outcome for your case. Again, this could be the dropping of all charges, acquittal or receiving a reduced penalty if you are convicted.

The Ashmans Criminal Defence Team specialises in:

• Charges of Possession with Intent to Supply
• Class A, B and C drugs possession charges
• Conspiracy to Supply charges
• Drugs Importation charges
• Drugs production or processing charges
• Production of Drugs with Intent to Supply

‘County Lines’ offences

Drug trafficking activities between cities and rural areas are often referred to as ‘County Lines’ offences. These are complex matters, often involving
dedicated, encrypted communications and the use of young or otherwise
vulnerable people to transport illegal goods. The Ashmans Criminal Defence Team has a great deal of experience with these complex cases, and can put rat experience to work protecting you.

Common ‘county lines’ offences include:

• Modern slavery charges
• Supply, Conspiracy to Supply and Possession of Drugs with Intent to
  Supply
• The possession, importation or criminal use of firearms
• Violation of ‘Drug Gang Injunctions’

Organised Crime Matters

Not only are ‘organised crime’ charges complex and difficult for nonspecialists to defend against, they often carry heavy penalties if you are convicted. The Ashmans Criminal Defence Team has a great deal of
experience in this area, so we can ensure that all aspects of your defence are handled properly.

We regularly handle cases involving:

• Murder charges
• Sexual offence charges
• Human trafficking charges
• Fraud or high-value fraud charges
• Firearms charges

Conspiracy Charges (Conspiracy to Commit Murder, etc)

Conspiracy is always a complex charge and can carry very high penalties
even if no underlying crime is actually carried out. One might be charged with a ‘conspiracy’ charge even of one never engaged in any unlawful activity directly. As an example, providing a vehicle to another person is not a crime, but if the vehicle is then used in a murder, the supplier could be vulnerable to Conspiracy charges.

The Ashmans Solicitors Criminal Defence Team regularly deals with cases
involving:

• Conspiracy to Murder
• Conspiracy to Attempted Murder
• Conspiracy to Manslaughter
• Conspiracy to plan a crime which was not carried out

EncroChat solicitors – confidential discussion

Have you been impacted by the EncroChat hack? If you have been arrested – or you are worried you could be – contact us at Ashmans Solicitors for a confidential discussion. Our dedicated criminal law solicitors will provide clear, practical legal advice – all on an entirely
confidential basis.

The earlier you speak to our solicitors, the stronger your position will be. We can implement strategies to minimise the consequences on your personal and professional life, preventing the situation from escalating.

Free police station representation

If you are interviewed by the police, National Crime Agency (NCA) or any other legal authority, do not say anything until a member of our criminal law team is present. We provide free legal representation at police stations and other detention facilities. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means you can contact us whenever you need.

We can advise you what questions to answer, ensuring you do not accidentally compromise your case. We can then guide you through the next stages, whether you are released under investigation or charged. We can also advise you of your rights, including in relation to police powers of search and seizure.

The EnrcoChat hack and legal defences

If you are charged in the wake of the EncroChat hack, there are various defences available. We will explore these in detail before deciding on the best approach in your case. This is a developing area of the law and prosecutions that rely upon encrypted data may be challenged on the basis of:

• Inadmissible evidence
• Abuse of process
• Breach of human rights

We will work alongside some of the best criminal barristers in the country to undermine the prosecution’s case and highlight any procedural errors that have been made.

Legal Aid and Costs

We do hold a legal aid contract with the LAA and can advise you about your eligibility for legal aid. Even if you are not legal aid eligible, we have very competitive rates and can even offer fixed fees in certain circumstances. Please contact us right away to discuss any legal needs you might have.