Get Me Off Rod

Have a look at an excellent article in the Independent (www.independent.co.uk) on  6 November called “Spies Eavesdrop On Lawyer Client Communications”.

M15, M16 and GCHQ routinely listen in to conversations between lawyers and clients whether at a meeting, on the telephone or on a prison visit.

This strikes at the heart of one of the fundamental legal rights of defendants to communicate in complete confidence with a lawyer.  Unless an accused can have that right he cannot mount a proper defence nor is he likely to say anything much at all, resulting in more not guilty pleas the clogging of the courts and miscarriages of justice.

When you are faced with a criminal charge, things are often not black as you think, and an experienced private lawyer can help. Many legal aid lawyers tend to just throw up their hands and suggest that the accused throws himself on the mercy of the court.

Do not fall for that.   Test the evidence.  Enquire whether there has been eavesdropping.  Ask about eavesdropping by the police.

If there has been eavesdropping a prosecutor may well prefer to drop the claim rather than have this exposed so take expert advice at an early stage and do not just roll over.

What generally sounds unfair usually is.

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