MPR Solicitors secure bail in two large-scale Class A drugs conspiracy cases

We recently secured bail for a defendant charged with supplying class A and B drugs to undercover police officers in a large-scale drugs conspiracy in the Crown Court in the South East of England. Other defendants not represented by MPR Solicitors remain in custody. The trial will take place later in the year.

In another recent case, MPR Solicitors secured bail for a Colombian national charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs valued at £100,000. Our client made contact with us whilst in custody on remand as her previous solicitors had done nothing to secure bail advising her that she was unlikely to get bail. She transferred her representation to MPR Solicitors, following which we were able to put a successful bail package together and secured bail within 7 days of being instructed.

The question of bail is always an emotional issue as a person’s liberty is at stake. This is more so in cases where serious charges are alleged and the Prosecution object to the granting of bail. Whilst we cannot guarantee bail in each and every case, we have the expertise and the know-how to effectively put a bail package together and to make one at the right time tactically in the course of court proceedings to have maximum chances of success. There are limited opportunities for making a bail application and for that reason it is not wise to make an unprepared bail application as the chances of success are slim and an opportunity is wasted. We have a proven track record for securing bail in some of the most difficult and serious cases. Our success rate is based on meticulous case preparation, drafting and advocacy skills. We endeavour to make contact with all relevant parties who may be able to assist in the making of a bail application and work against the clock to secure our clients’ liberty.

Simple guide to making a bail application:

• In order to make a bail application, the defence must first give a minimum of 24 hours written notice to both the Court where the application will be made and to the CPS of their intention to make a bail application. The written notice must contain the previously raised objections to bail, the grounds upon which the bail application is made and details of any proposed sureties and securities (Bail bonds). This may sound relatively simple but the art in making a successful bail application does lie in the drafting skills and the analytical skills of the defence lawyer. Decisions by the Court in relation to granting bail in most bail applications are usually made on the papers that are presented to the Court. The advocate is present at court to orally make the application and to counter any arguments or opposition that the CPS may have and to answer any questions the Court may have.
• If a poorly drafted notice of bail is lodged then it will not have the desired effect. The key to maximising success rates of bail is to draft a detailed notice of bail and to call oral evidence at the bail application.
• Defendants in custody are not normally produced at a bail application so they do not get to hear the application made by their defence lawyers. Bail applications are usually made before a Judge in Chambers but can also be made in open court at a directions hearing for example when a client will be present in court.
• At MPR Solicitors, we feel it is important that our clients are fully aware of the detailed bail applications that are lodged on their behalf by our solicitors and to this end copies of the notice relating to bail are made available to our clients.
• We also like to make personal contact with all sureties and family members. We will take the time and make the effort to explain the bail process and what the responsibilities of a surety are.
• We guide our clients and their families through the bail process and like to think we offer an expeditious, caring and effective service to maximise the chances of a successful bail application.

Some of the most common bail conditions that can be offered to the Court are as follows:

• Residence
• Reporting to a local police station
• Not entering a specific geographical area
• Curfew during specific hours (can also be subject to electronic monitoring: an electronic tag)
• Non contact with co-defendants
• Not to contact directly or non-directly the alleged victims in a case
• Paying in a security to the court
• Standing as a surety