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I recall a time when ANY solicitor was proud, willing and able to represent any "walk or phone through" client who needed criminal representation before magistrates.
Often this was done without ANY expectation of payment and with the genuinely noble motive of giving something back for the prosperity otherwise enjoyed from private practice in the local community.
Contrary to the assertions of those who were only too keen to cartel the criminal practice market, the work done by these local pillars was executed to a high standard, to the client's satisfaction (so much so that there was much return business) and with no diminution of professional applique..
Criminal practitioners however were quite happy to collude with the government and police in turning criminal law practice into a closed shop.
So, the local solicitor link was severed forever and the cartels milked the profits - so much so that there used to be a joke among old wags that for all their bemoaning of poverty that you never saw a criminal lawyer on a bicycle (it used to be farmers that were the butt of this joke).
And now, because the Devil has turned on you you want our sympathy? Really?