[gouranga]

You are unlikely to be trialled with jury. It'll be sealed or with a magistrate.

There's nothing to back it up unfortunately other than a number of horror stories over the years of people getting shafted. The law is extremely biased towards those with money unless its a high profile case.

Duty solicitors are private solicitors but from direct experience, they aren't always neutral. Its bad when you find your duty solicitor in the pub with the arresting officer (I was arrested and charged with assault a few years ago when I disabled someone assaulting my wife). That made an interesting picture to show in court I will say.

The rationale for police hatred is that they are less likely to be biased against you.

The human race is particularly self serving I find which is the issue.

[mryan]

Getting off-topic here, but would you mind sharing what happened in your case, when the court was shown the picture of the officer/solicitor as drinking buddies?

[jiggy2011]

What if they were drinking buddies though and had known each other since childhood or somesuch?

Is there a rule that says a criminal defence solicitor can never be in a social setting with a Police Officer?

[Djehngo]

I think it presents a clear conflict of interests if a solicitor is representing a client who was arrested by a close friend of said solicitor.

[gouranga]

The magistrate said that the CPS and police had made a mockery of the legal system and that he was striking the case off. CPS solicitor was reprimanded verbally. I was awarded costs of 300 pounds. Lasted about 5 mins after that.