⚖️ Beta — general information about criminal matters in England & Wales. Not legal advice.
England & Wales

What might happen with your criminal matter?

Tell us what's happened in your own words — we'll explain the likely offence, court route, possible outcomes and sentence risk. Free, anonymous, not legal advice.

🔒 No need to give your name — just describe what happened in general terms. You don't need any identifying details.
Or start from a common situation:ShopliftingDrink drivingPolice interviewUnclear (abstains)
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Private by default. Your answers are anonymous. We do not record your IP address or track you, we do not share your data or details with anyone — and we never pass your information to a solicitor unless you ask us to.

⚠︎ This tool provides general legal information only and does not provide legal advice. It cannot tell you whether to plead guilty or not guilty and does not guarantee any outcome. Your details are not required to see a result and are only shared with a solicitor if you choose to.

💡 Why is this free?

Solicitors pay to advertise to people checking their situation — that's how we keep the checker free for you. We're upfront about it: the firms you see are clearly marked "Sponsored", we don't rank them by who pays most, and we never share your details with any of them unless you choose to.

What Crime Checker does

Crime Checker is a free tool for England & Wales that helps you understand a criminal matter in plain English. Describe what's happened and it explains the likely offence, whether it's dealt with in the Magistrates' or Crown Court, the possible outcomes, the sentencing range and what to do next. It is general information only — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a solicitor.

How it works

  1. Describe it in your own words. No name or personal details needed.
  2. We match it to the offence and apply published sentencing guidelines and ranges.
  3. You get a clear read-out — likely outcome, sentence risk, court route and next steps — with the official sources we used.

What you'll find out

  • The most likely offence based on what you describe
  • Whether it's a Magistrates' Court or Crown Court matter
  • Possible outcomes and the sentencing range
  • Your risk of a custodial sentence or driving ban, where relevant
  • Practical next steps, including whether to get a solicitor

Common situations we cover

Shoplifting and theft, common assault, drink driving and motoring offences, drug possession, fraud, and being asked to attend a police interview (including voluntary interviews and postal requisitions). If there isn't enough detail to be confident, Crime Checker says so rather than guessing.

Frequently asked questions

Is Crime Checker legal advice?

No. It gives general information only, built from official published sources. It cannot tell you how to plead and does not guarantee any outcome. For advice on your specific situation, speak to a solicitor.

Is it free and anonymous?

Yes. It is free and you do not need to give your name. Your details are not shared with anyone unless you choose to contact a solicitor.

Does it cover the whole UK?

It covers England & Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems with different offences and sentencing.

Will a solicitor check my result?

No. Results are generated automatically from official sources and are not reviewed by a solicitor. You can choose to have a local solicitor review your situation.

Where our information comes from

Crime Checker is built only from official published sources for England & Wales: Sentencing Council guidelines, legislation.gov.uk, and Ministry of Justice statistics. It is not checked by a solicitor.