My child has been accused of a sexual offence - what can I do? ============================================================== If your child is accused of a sexual offence, which has potentially serious consequences, it is crucial that you organise the right representation for you and your family. Any delay can have lasting consequences - not only as such cases are very fast moving but because of the impact of allegations spreading around the community, whether in schools, friendship groups or colleges. Left unaddressed, these allegations can have a lasting impact on how your child interacts with others, regardless of whether the allegations are proved to be false. It is therefore crucial to secure representation at the earliest stage. Vardags is a top law firm with a highly respected [criminal defence team](https://vardags.com/team/criminal-defence). The team is supported by our leading [Reputation & Privacy team](https://vardags.com/services/reputation-privacy), meaning Vardags can offer a variety of support. Expert advice and representation will ensure the best outcome in your case and can ensure your child is not charged if there is insufficient evidence. It is imperative to get legal advice as soon as you become aware of an issue as delaying can have legal consequences. Our team is able to support families at every stage of the criminal process - from initial concerns to a request for a police interview. We also provide emergency 24-hour representation at police stations within the M25. ### 24 Hour Emergency Legal Representation If you need a lawyer immediately because a person has been taken into custody or involved in an incident, Vardags can provide emergency legal cover at any time. "The criminal team at Vardags go the extra mile to ensure clients' needs are met." ![Legal 500](https://vardags.com/images/logo/legal-500.png) "The team is noted for its sheer intellect"![Legal 500](https://vardags.com/images/logo/legal-500.png) "Excellent criminal department and criminal lawyer... I would use this firm for ANY matter in future. Complete confidence in receiving the best care."Julie Carter (client) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -------------------------- If a formal allegation has been made against your child, it is imperative that you seek out legal advice and representation as soon as possible. Sexual offence cases can often rest on one individual's testimony against another and so having a skilled defence lawyer by your side is invaluable in helping you to navigate this complex process that can be highly emotional. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/criminal-defence/formal-allegation-of-sexual-misconduct-against-child "A formal allegation of sexual misconduct has been made against my child, what should I do?") Receiving a request for your child to attend a police interview can be highly distressing. In such a scenario, it is crucial that you seek out the best legal representation immediately. Police interviews are a key part of any investigation and must be treated accordingly. Having a specialist criminal lawyer represent your child from the start of proceedings will allow them to assess the facts of the case and determine the likely outcomes so that they can give advice in relation to all eventualities. It is always advisable that anyone being interviewed by the police to be accompanied by legal representation who can give them expert advice and guide them on each stage of the process. This is particularly the case with children, who are more likely to be overwhelmed by the process. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/criminal-defence/child-summoned-to-police-interview "My child has been summoned to a police interview, what can I do?") [MORE FAQS](https://vardags.com/faq/criminal-defence) OUR Criminal Defence TEAM ------------------------- [### Lucy Winter](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/lucy-winter "Lucy Winter") [Criminal Defence Consultant](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/lucy-winter "Lucy Winter") [### Lucy Winter Criminal Defence Consultant](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/lucy-winter "Lucy Winter") [Meet the rest of the team](https://vardags.com/team/criminal-defence) Is Vardags Right For You? ------------------------- We offer a free consultation to qualifying individuals. Please call our confidential enquiry line on **020 7404 9390**. Lines are staffed 24 hours. When you contact us a member of our client relations team will take the full details of your situation, assess whether we can assist you, and if so, determine the best team for your case. Media Highlights ---------------- [Time Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine](http://time.com/5037316/britain-divorce-london-capital-ayesha-vardag/ "Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine") [BBC News David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7279887504982302720 "David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News") [The Telegraph 'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/06/homemaker-ex-wife-laura-ashley-boss-wins-third-200m-income-payout/ "'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout") [The Telegraph Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/brexit-stopped-us-getting-our-abducted-children-back/ "Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph") [The Times Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce](https://www.thetimes.com/article/12c7dc62-6d9f-4c75-9314-b17a9d4fc98f?shareToken=3393e3e3e8101b72a28c6d95a1c641fe "Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce") OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES -------------------------- Vardags is one of the UK's leading divorce law firms. We specialise in complex, high net worth and international cases. The Legal 500 has said of Vardags: "The team is noted for its sheer intellect" [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/divorce "Divorce") Vardags is among the leading family law firms in the UK. Our solicitors specialise in complex cases for high net worth individuals, including international child relocation, child abduction, and prenuptial agreements. The Legal 500 has said that "clients feel in totally safe hands" with Vardags' Children & Family lawyers. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/children-and-family "Children & Family") Our reputation and privacy team, headed by top media lawyer Alex McCready, works in and out of the public eye on cases involving defamation, privacy and reputation management. We provide expert advice and representation across the full range of reputation and privacy related matters, including crisis management, emergency injunctions and actions against online and new media. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/reputation-privacy "Reputation & Privacy") Vardags is a leading UK law firm with expertise in complex disputes relating to a range of corporate law matters. Our team has a wealth of expertise to help clients with their legal needs. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/corporate "Corporate") Vardags is a successful and rapidly-growing law firm with an outstanding reputation for winning cases. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/criminal-defence "Criminal Defence") Vardags is a top law firm with a trailblazing fertility and surrogacy department. We have had success with some of the most groundbreaking cases of the last decade in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, with rulings that have changed the law. Vardags remains at the cutting edge of fertility law, pushing for further improvement of the outdated legislation in place in Britain. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/fertility-surrogacy "Fertility & Surrogacy") Vardags' civil litigation team is renowned for its nous and its consistent ability to deliver results. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/commercial-civil-litigation "Commercial & Civil Litigation") Vardags' wills and trusts team has the specific expertise to cater to the wills and trusts needs of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals. Richard Todd QC, Leading Counsel for Yasmin Prest said of Vardags: "a note to acknowledge your firm's pivotal role in achieving such an outstanding result in the recent Supreme Court case of Petrodel v Prest". [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/wills-trusts "Wills, Trusts and Probate") Vardags is a leading family law firm with specialist expertise in assisting clients who are experiencing domestic abuse. We appreciate that those in abusive relationships may face difficulties contacting us. We can provide additional discretion, such as arranging alternative meeting places and talking via our WhatsApp service. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/domestic-abuse "Domestic Abuse Lawyers") [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/sje-and-shadow-experts "Single Joint Experts & Shadow Experts")