What is a Guilty Plea?

This fixed fee is for representation in the Weston super Mare and Bridgwater Magistrates’ Court in straightforward cases, if you intend to plead guilty.

Are you entitled to free advice?

What is included in the Fixed Fee?

The fixed fee includes:

• Obtaining and considering the prosecution papers
• Straightforward negotiations with the prosecutor at court about your case
• A face to face meeting to take your instructions and prepare your mitigation
• Advocacy in a local (Weston super Mare and Bridgwater) Magistrates’ Court at the first hearing when you plead guilty
• A further face to face meeting if your case is adjourned for a pre-sentence report
• Advocacy at the sentencing hearing in the Magistrates’ Court

The fixed fee does not include:

• If it turns out you have a defence, you decide to plead not guilty
  (Trial)
• Complex negotiations with the prosecution
• Advocacy at a court that is not local
• If you are arguing “exceptional hardship” in road traffic cases
  (Guilty plea to road traffic offence (exceptional hardship))
• If you are arguing “special reasons” in road traffic cases
  (Guilty plea to road traffic offence (special reasons))
• If you case is adjourned for a Newton hearing
  (Guilty plea disputing prosecution case (Newton hearing))
• If your case needs to be adjourned again for any reason beyond the sentencing date
• Any financial penalty imposed by the court
• Any subsequent appeal against sentence to the Crown Court (this should be covered by Legal Aid)
• Committal for sentence to the Crown Court (this should be covered by Legal Aid)

Why pay a Fixed Fee?

By paying a fixed fee at the start of your case you have certainty about the costs involved. The alternative is to pay an hourly rate (£220 plus VAT) for the time your solicitor spends on your case.