Revenge Porn Defence Solicitors

Activity Which May Result in Prosecution

There are a variety of different scenarios which may result in a prosecution for this offence however, common examples may include: 

• Sharing intimate images or videos using social media: As an example, sharing intimate sexual images or videos of an ex-partner on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
• Uploading intimate images or videos to a porn site: As an example, pploading a sexual video of an ex-partner onto Pornhub  
• Sharing intimate images or videos on a messaging platform: This may include sending private sexual photographs or videos of an ex-partner to friends via Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or SnapChat.

Revenge Porn Defences

There are several defences available to this charge which include:

• It is not an offence to disclose the photograph or film to the individual who appears in the photograph or film;
• It is a defence if the defendant reasonably believed that the disclosure was necessary for the investigation, prevention or detection of crime;
• It is a defence where a person discloses material in the course of or with a view to the publication of journalistic material so long as the person concerned reasonably believed that the publication in question was or would be in the public interest;
• It is a defence where the defendant reasonably believed that the material was previously disclosed for reward and had no reason to believe that the previous disclosure for reward was made without the consent of the individual;
• A person charged with an offence is not to be taken to have disclosed a photograph or film with the intention of causing distress merely because that was a natural and likely consequence of the disclosure;

Revenge Porn Sentence

This offence is an ‘either-way’ offence which can be heard before the Magistrates’ or Crown Court. A person convicted of this offence will receive a criminal record and possibly a prison sentence of up to 2 years.  

Paying Privately for Court Cases

We have been covering only private client criminal cases for many years and the benefits to our clients are clear. Our clients receive a much higher level of legal expertise and attention, because they are funding their cases privately. This enables us to dedicate more time in preparing the case, compared with firms that may also offer legal aid. Legal aid lawyers (Duty Solicitors) are often over-worked and are covering more cases than they should, as the nature of their work is not profitable, and this can result in your case not receiving the time and attention it deserves.

Our private client solicitors are specialists in their field, have significant experience and will have dealt with other cases like yours in the past and will know the best strategies to achieve a not guilty verdict.

Advantages of Paying Privately for a Specialist Criminal Defence Lawyer

1. Expertise: There are very limited number of law firms throughout the country that only accept criminal cases on a private fee-paying basis, these lawyers will usually only accept such cases because they possess superior legal knowledge and expertise.
2. Communication: Paying for legal representation privately will usually result in better and more frequent communication with your Solicitor and Barrister. Lawyers paid privately will usually respond to e-mails and phone calls quickly.
3. Preparation: The amount of time a lawyer spends preparing a case and considering the evidence will have an impact upon the result. Paying privately will ensure that the lawyer can spend enough time on case preparation, which will have a positive impact on the overall outcome of the case. We prepare thoroughly for each case.
4. Service: Clients that instruct lawyers via private funds will receive a substantially better service than those using legal aid.   
5. Quality: The overall quality of legal representation from private client solicitors is significantly superior.
6. Consistency: We provide all our clients with consistency and continuity, the lawyer dealing with your case will be the same person from start to finish.

In addition to having our own in-house barristers and advocates, we also have strong working relationships with very senior members of the Bar (including QC’s) and other leading legal experts in their field who can form part of your legal defence team.

Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

Our top-rated criminal defence team understand that being prosecuted will have a devastating impact upon your career, future income and your professional profile. For that reason we leave no stone unturned when it comes to scrutinising the evidence and planning a strong defence strategy.

We appreciate that for many white-collar workers and regulated professionals a conviction for a crime could result in a professional regulatory body such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority, General Medical Council or Financial Conduct Authority assessing whether you remain suitable to continue in your profession given the criminal conviction on your record. We aim to secure the best possible outcome for all our clients, as a conviction could result in life changing consequences or prevent you from continuing your chosen career path.

It is important to appreciate that a relatively minor conviction, such as common assault, may not result in a custodial sentence (prison). However, a conviction could potentially result in the end of your career or issues with other aspects of your life, such as travelling to other countries for holidays or work. Our lawyers understand that being prosecuted can be a tough time and your case is a priority for us. Instructing our specialist top-ranked criminal lawyers to represent you will give you the best possible chance of a successful outcome and we will fight your corner to win.

Our solicitors appreciate that if you are a public figure or sports personality, a criminal conviction or even investigation could potentially result in suspension from public office or cancellation of sponsorship/advertising deals. It is, therefore, crucial that you instruct a qualified and experienced criminal defence law firm that has previously represented many high-profile clients and professionals, as this will provide you with the best chance of a not guilty verdict.

A criminal record for an offence such as assault, battery or harassment could also cause difficulties in family law / care proceedings as a criminal conviction will create a further obstacle to overcome in those proceedings. The lawyer you choose to instruct to defend your case will have a significant impact upon the direction and outcome of the case, therefore you should take serious consideration when choosing the law firm.

To contact one of our specialist private crime lawyers, phone us on 0330 818 9837 for an initial telephone case assessment and a no obligation fixed fee quotation or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you.