Understand Your Situation
If you were forced, groomed, or threatened into selling drugs, you are a victim, not a criminal. We make the law recognise that.
The Section 45 Defence
Criminal gangs frequently exploit children and vulnerable adults to move drugs (County Lines). The law recognises this. Under *Section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015*, if you committed a crime because you were compelled to do so (slavery or exploitation), you have a statutory defence.
We work quickly to identify these signs. We obtain referrals to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). If the NRM confirms you are a victim, we lobby the CPS to discontinue the case immediately. We have a strong track record of stopping prosecutions against young people and vulnerable adults before trial.
Forced to Deal?
Threatened or in debt? We can help you stop the prosecution.
Plan Your Defence
Recognising Exploitation
Exploitation isn't just physical violence. It includes 'debt bondage' (being told you owe the gang money), threats to family, and grooming with gifts.
We gather evidence of this coercion—social services records, missing person reports, and psychological assessments—to corroborate your account. We shift the narrative from 'defendant' to 'victim', ensuring the court sees the reality of your situation.
Under 18?
The law protects groomed children. We ensure those protections apply to you.
Legal Aid Availability
For many criminal matters, from police station interviews to Crown Court trials, public funding (Legal Aid) may be available to cover your legal costs.
Eligibility is determined by the seriousness of the case and, in some instances, a means assessment. Our team will conduct an immediate, confidential assessment of your eligibility to ensure that financial constraints do not stand in the way of a robust defence.
