Perverting the Course of Justice

If you have been investigated for an offence and either had the case discontinued, been found not guilty at trial or had a conviction quashed because of false allegations made against you, it is possible for you to seek justice by seeking a private prosecution.  At Wilford Smith, we understand that any accusations of criminal conduct can be extremely upsetting, for both the accused and their families. Finding yourself in such a position can also cause extensive damage to your personal and professional reputation, so getting the right legal advice at the earliest possible stage is vital.

Our criminal litigation solicitors can offer clear, strategic, discreet support whatever your circumstances. We have a proven track record when it comes to conducting private prosecutions, alongside a well-earned reputation for excellence in advocacy and litigation. We understand that every client is different – you can be sure that when you instruct one of our lawyers, you will receive the very best in legal representation, with advice and guidance that is uniquely tailored to your needs.

What is perverting the course of justice?

‘Perverting the course of justice' is a term used to describe a range of criminal offences, typically involving a direct attempt to mislead the direction of a court case. For conduct to constitute perverting the course of justice, a positive action is generally required – failure to do something will not usually be sufficient to warrant a charge of perverting the course of justice.

A person will have committed this offence if they:

• Carry out an act or series of acts
• which has/have the tendency to pervert; and
• which is/are intended to pervert the course of public justice.

Some common examples of perverting the course of justice include:

• Fabricating or tampering with evidence
• Interfering with a witness, judge or the case itself
• Falsely accusing someone of a crime – this is referred to as ‘perjury’ and involves the person making a statement that they know not to be true

Perverting the course of justice and private prosecutions

When someone is involved in a criminal case, they may find themselves the subject of false allegations during the course of the trial. Even if these allegations are proven to be false, there are many occasions when the police will choose not to investigate and pursue prosecution for perverting the course of justice. In such circumstances, the victim of false allegations may seek justice by initiating a private prosecution. A private prosecution allows you to prosecute the person making the false allegations with perverting the course of justice.

Our specialist team of Private Prosecution Solicitors are experts in this complex area of law and can provide superior legal support from the outset.

Contact our private prosecution solicitors in Sheffield

If you would like to discuss the possibility of bringing a private prosecution against someone for perverting the course of justice, speak with one of Wilford Smith's specialist Private Prosecution Solicitors today to find out how we can help.

Our Private Prosecution Solicitors are based in Sheffield and service clients throughout England and Wales. Contact us today on 0808 164 1349 to find out how we can help.