Blog
Being accused of sexual misconduct when you are a child
Sandra Paul
"The KN team are one of the best known, oldest and highly regarded teams in this area of work. They get first rate work and deliver excellent results."
Legal 500 UK 2021
Our experienced youth crime lawyers are committed to understanding your child and finding a solution that protects their reputation. Applying the law to children and young people is a specialist area of law. We have considerable experience and demonstrated success in ensuring that their age, lack of willingness to communicate and curiosity are not misinterpreted as illegality.
A call to say your son or daughter is in trouble with the law is something every parent fears. We understand that young people make mistakes and that immaturity sometimes results in errors of judgement. We believe that such misjudgements should not result in a permanent mark against a young person’s character.
Our youth crime lawyers are formally trained and experienced in building rapport and trust with your child so that they feel confident in giving instructions and understanding the advice they receive. We view you as an essential partner in the process and value your input in resolving your child’s case.
Achieving the best outcome for our clients
Some young people think that offences committed while under 18 years old are wiped from their record when they become adults. This is not true. A record will always be kept which can be disclosed at the discretion of the police in the future. UCAS and college applications routinely ask for information about convictions and cautions which can be determinative in securing and retaining your child’s place in education. Our representation is targeted at avoiding arrest and conviction and thereby limiting the impact on your child’s future prospects.
Like you, we understand that there is a lot more to your child than the isolated issue that brings them into contact with the youth justice system. By engaging one of our specialist youth crime lawyers, you give your son or daughter the best opportunity to safely navigate this complex area of law.
We understand that young people do not think like adults and often cannot foresee the consequences of their actions. Sometimes their reticence makes it difficult to give an innocent explanation for what has happened. We are able to support them in doing this to ensure the law does not mistakenly define their immaturity as youth crime.
We achieve the best outcome by forcing the police and others involved in the youth justice system to apply common sense to your child’s situation. This includes finding the least onerous outcome which may be as simple as an apology. We will always look for innovative alternatives to prosecution that avoid a criminal record. In addition to addressing the immediate crisis, our lawyers aim to equip your child with information and skills that diminish the likelihood of future contact with the criminal justice system.
WHAT directories, CLIENTS AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE SAID about us
I just wanted to express my profound thanks for your input at the very start of this process. It was obvious that [my son] felt a tremendous sense of reassurance knowing that you were there to provide advice and support, and I think the trouble you took to provide sympathetic and constructive advice was invaluable. I wanted to express my thanks to you because I witnessed at first-hand what a difference your input made. As a solicitor myself, I was able to reflect on the fundamental importance of client care, and on the fantastic job you did."
Parent of one of our clients
I think it would be hard to over-state the sense of reassurance that [my son] got from your advice and – most importantly – from the way in which you gave it. You were authoritative and sympathetic, and, crucially, you were available whenever he needed your input. All of your communications with him seemed to reflect a real effort on your part to see things from his perspective, and all of the advice was delivered in a language that he really understood. I’m not exaggerating when I say that your input really was one of the main things which helped him to get through the whole business."
Parent of one of our clients
In dealing with the firm, every aspect was outstanding and of the highest quality."
Chambers UK 2021
KN are exceptional in almost all categories! They are streaks ahead of everyone else and provide a very high level of service. If I were in trouble that’s where I would go. I like the fact they are genuinely committed to providing excellence even on less lucrative cases or on cases of less seriousness. They completely get how serious every case is for a client . They unfailing do the very best for their clients."
Legal 500 UK 2021
A dynamic team that shows good attention to detail."
Chambers UK 2021
"Getting in touch with you was the best and single most important step in coping with this situation."
"You respected the age of your client in your calm but firm and honest dealing with [my child]."
"I would not wish my family’s recent experience on anyone but I would view anyone lucky enough to secure your services extremely fortunate."
Parent of one of our clients
“The minute I spoke to Sandra I knew we were in safe hands. So professional yet created a very relaxed environment for my son."
Parent of one of our clients
"Gosh I can finally smile again. Thank you so much.”
Client
"[My child and I] are both ever so grateful for having crossed paths with you…you were such a pleasure to work with, you so ably guided us through and were an amazing support to us."
Parent of one of our clients
"Thank you very much for all your work on this case – we as a family are very appreciative of your help and support. You helped us at a very difficult time and we are still grateful. [Our child] has certainly come out of it as well as can be expected and I think he is determined to become a Rock Star solicitor having met you all! He still thinks you are one of the coolest people he’s ever met!"
Parent of one of our clients
"I was absolutely thrilled [with the outcome] and it has felt like a big weight off my shoulders. These past 4 months have been absolutely horrendous, but ameliorated by being able to rely on all of you to chat and answer questions (however silly). Many thanks to all of you for your hard work. Just saying thank you, feels a trifle insufficient given the gravitas of the situation but I do really mean it."
Client
"I am of course very fortunate that my parents had pulled together the resources so I could have my own solicitor, had this not been possible my future would have been very different."
Client
[Our child] will head back to Uni next week and the difference in his mood and outlook is heart-warming. The future is looking bright again."
Parent of one of our clients
"We cannot thank you enough for all the support, guidance and expertise not to mention the shocking yet amazing outcome."
Parent of one of our clients
"Your professional approach was incredibly reassuring to us as we were going through a very difficult time. We are so grateful for all the help and support you gave [our child] and ourselves at that time and would unequivocally recommend you to parents and teenagers going through similar situations. "
Parent of one of our clients
They stand out because of their ability to stop a case before it gets started. Their commitment, preparation and tenacity set them apart."
Chambers UK 2018
Further information about youth crime and justice
Please see our page on frequently asked questions about youth crime and our youth crime blogs for further information and regular updates.
Should you have any questions, please contact our team of youth crime lawyers in confidence or call us on +44 (0)20 7814 1200.
Matthew Hardcastle
Senior Associate
Áine Kervick
Senior Associate
Laura Kruczynska
Legal Assistant
Leena Lakhani
Associate (Barrister)
Louise Hodges
Partner and Head of Department
Caroline Day
Partner
Nicola Finnerty
Partner
Jonathan Grimes
Partner
Jill Lorimer
Partner
Alun Milford
Partner
Rebecca Niblock
Partner
Ed Smyth
Partner
Aaron Watkins
Partner
Stephen Parkinson
Senior Partner
Sameera Abdulrehman
Trainee Solicitor
James Alleyne
Legal Counsel
Julia Bateman
Senior Practice Development Lawyer
Matthew Burn
Senior Associate
Michael Caplan QC
Consultant
Emily Elliott
Associate
Brooke Glover
Associate
John Harding
Legal Counsel
Will Hayes
Senior Associate (Barrister)
Hannah Hendy
Paralegal
Anna Holmes
Associate
Liam Hurren
Trainee Solicitor
Maeve Keenan
Associate
Philip Salvesen
Senior Associate
Rebecca Smart
Associate
Gemma Tombs
Legal Counsel
Virginia Tournon
Associate
Katherine Tyler
Legal Counsel
Sophie Wood
Senior Associate (Barrister)
Magda Zima
Associate
Highly collaborative and team based in everything they do. Friendly and down to earth while also being world class. Uniquely able to bring together the brightest and the best but without being pompous or superior in their attitude. Great listeners, hard workers and tactically the best in the business."
Legal 500 UK 2021
The lawyers on the crime team are relentlessly good at what they do. They have a collaborative approach and are incredibly thorough and detailed in their work."
Chambers UK 2021
The care, consideration and professionalism which [our child] was treated with by you, meant what could have been potentially a life changing experience was one where he felt informed, understood and less frightened. I will never be able to thank you enough."
Parent of one of our clients
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