Historic Sexual Offences
We offer professional, friendly legal advice and representation in courts throughout Scotland.
Over 30 years experience as Criminal Defence Lawyers
McGovern Reid have considerable experience in representing clients who have been accused of historic sexual offences. We appreciate how distressing these allegations are, particularly when they are made years and often decades after the alleged offences.
We know the impact these allegations- which often come from family members- have on your career, mental health and reputation. It is therefore essential that you get in touch with our specialist team as soon as the police contact you. Our team will work tirelessly on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.
If you instruct McGovern Reid, you will be instructing an award winning criminal defence firm.
We have excellent relationships with both the Society of Solicitor-Advocates and the Faculty of Advocates including the country’s leading King’s Counsel. We will put together an expert team in order to support you throughout the case.
Historic Sexual Abuse Lawyers Glasgow, Hamilton, Airdrie and Lanark
Prior to the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, the crime of rape was a common law offence. You will need an expert in the law, who has experience of both the current position and the position at the time of the alleged offences.
Allegations of this nature are invariably complex- particularly when the allegations are made many years after the alleged offences and were not reported at the time.
Lewd and libidinous practices or behaviour lawyers Glasgow, Hamilton, Airdrie and Lanark
Lewd and libidinous practices or behaviour is common law offence committed against a child under the age of puberty.
These allegations often involve no eye witnesses and without the accused being interviewed by the police at the time of the allegations.
In Scotland, no accused can be convicted on the evidence of one witness alone.
The allegations must be corroborated. This is a challenge for the prosecution to overcome- as the onus of proof is on the prosecution. No accused requires to prove their innocence.
If there are a number of allegation, usually involving more than one complainer, the prosecution may argue that the doctrine of mutual corroboration (the ‘Moorov’ doctrine) applies. This means that the prosecution argue the offences as similar in terms of time and circumstances and can therefore corroborate each other.
The law in this area is particularly complex and the Appeal Court have taken a keen interest in this area of the law in recent years. It therefore essential your legal team has the experience and skill necessary to defend you in court.
Contact Our Sexual Offence Solicitors in Glasgow, Lanark, Hamilton, Motherwell
There are far more prosecution for historic sexual offences than ever before. The law in this area is changing on a regular basis. You must therefore have the confidence you have instructed an expert team to represent you. If you instruct McGovern Reid, you can be assured of our professionalism, skill and empathy throughout any police investigation and court prosecution.
Our defence lawyers have significant experience in this highly-specialised area of criminal law and we can start preparing your defence as soon as you instruct us. You can speak to us by contacting us on our 24/7 helpline which is always manned by one of our solicitors- call 01698 359 550 now or complete our online contact form.
Call us today - 01698 359 550