Pre-Sentence Indication
Know your likely sentence before you walk into court.
An independent, senior criminal lawyer reviews your charge, the prosecution papers and your mitigation, then gives you a written indication of the realistic sentencing range under the current Sentencing Council guidelines — so you can make informed decisions on plea, basis of plea and mitigation before the hearing.
Why get an indication before court
Sentence is not a lottery — but the range for the same offence can be very wide. A plea entered without understanding where you sit on the guideline can cost years, or waste the one-third credit available for pleading at the first opportunity.
A written pre-sentence indication tells you, in plain English, what you are realistically looking at — and what mitigation, reports or basis of plea could move the needle.
What's included
- Review of the charge(s), prosecution case summary, and any pre-sentence report (PSR)
- Correct Sentencing Council guideline identified and starting point applied
- Category (harm and culpability) assessed on the evidence
- Aggravating and mitigating factors weighed on the facts of your case
- Credit for plea calculated (up to one-third at first opportunity)
- Realistic sentencing range: community order, suspended sentence or immediate custody
- Likely length, and any ancillary orders (SHPO, restraining, disqualification, unpaid work)
- Plain-English written report you can share with your solicitor or family
How it works
Send your papers
Charge sheet or indictment, prosecution case summary (MG5), any PSR, and a short note about your circumstances. Upload securely or email.
Lawyer review
A qualified criminal lawyer reads the papers, applies the current Sentencing Council guideline for your offence, and cross-checks recent cases.
Written indication
You receive a written report setting out the realistic range, best- and worst-case outcomes, and what may move you within that range.
Use it before court
Take the report to your solicitor or barrister so mitigation, plea and basis of plea can be prepared with a clear picture of what's at stake.
Delivery timeline
- Standard: written indication delivered within 5 working days of receiving your full papers.
- Expedited (+£350): 48-hour turnaround for hearings that are imminent.
- Same-day / urgent: if your hearing is within 24–72 hours, request our Urgent 24-Hour Triage first.
Important — please read
A Pre-Sentence Indication is an independent written opinion on the realistic sentencing range on the papers we are given. It is not a formal Goodyear indication (which can only be given by the sentencing judge in court on the defence's application), and it is not a substitute for instructing a solicitor or barrister to represent you.
Sentencing is fact-specific and remains a matter for the court. Outcomes depend on the judge, the tribunal's assessment of the evidence, any Newton hearing, victim impact, further offences, and factors that only emerge at the hearing itself. For those reasons we cannot and do not guarantee any particular outcome.
Our indication is based solely on the papers and information you provide. It should be shared with, and considered alongside the advice of, the lawyer representing you at your hearing. Nothing in the report creates a solicitor–client relationship for the purposes of representation at court.
Get in touch
Not sure if this is the right service?
Message us with a short summary of the charge and hearing date. We'll tell you honestly whether a Pre-Sentence Indication, Urgent 24-Hour Triage or Full Case Assessment fits best.
- • Reviewed by senior UK lawyers and barristers
- • Over 50 years of combined experience
- • Fully online — discreet and secure
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