Marcus Johnstone 16 LAWYER MONTHLY MARCH 2024 What inspired you to specialise in criminal defence? In my opinion, criminal law is the most important area of law. Let’s face it, which other area of law, if something goes wrong, can you face spending the rest of your life in prison? Imagine being accused of a sex offence. Just an allegation often results in the loss of your job, your family unit breaks down, you are stopped from seeing your children and you may be held in prison during the investigation. Now, imagine being the victim of a false sexual allegation. In recent years I have noticed a massive increase in false allegations. However, the starting point for the police is that the person making the complaint is believed, and the person accused is made to feel like they have to prove their innocence. A conviction for a sex offence can not only result in a prison sentence, but you also have to register as a sex offender - sometimes for the remainder of your life. Marcus A Johnstone, Solicitor PCD Solicitors Email: marcus@pcdsolicitors.co.uk Tel: 0151 705 8488 www.pcdsolicitors.co.uk This week, Lawyer Monthly had the opportunity to talk with Marcus Johnstone, a UK criminal defence solicitor with over 20 years of experience. Marcus started off as a senior lecturer in law and politics but in his heart, he is a true defender and has been exclusively practising criminal defence, specialising in sexual offence allegations, in the UK for over 20 years. Marcus is a Senior Solicitor and director at PCD Solicitors and is highly regarded in the UK legal community for his nationwide specialist work as a sexual offence defence solicitor with particular expertise in defending rape, sexual assault, indecent images and historic sex offences. Working closely with some of the country’s leading barristers, Marcus and PCD Solicitors are without a doubt a step ahead of other law firms when it comes to defending sexual allegations. An Interview with... False accusations bring lasting devastation: Inside the world of criminal defence
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