Criminal law

Criminal damage,
properly defended.

From a dispute over a damaged car to an allegation of arson, we give clear advice early and represent you personally in court.

24-hour line 01582 853 783 Request a callback
  • Band 1 for CrimePreviously ranked, Chambers & Partners
  • Legal 500 Leading FirmPreviously recognised
  • Highly CommendedLaw Society Excellence Awards 2021
  • Day and nightPolice station attendance at any hour

Criminal damage and arson

The Criminal Damage Act 1971 makes it an offence to destroy or damage property belonging to another without lawful excuse, either intentionally or recklessly. Damaging property by fire is charged as arson. More serious forms of the offence apply where a person intends to endanger life, or is reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and these can apply even to your own property.

Value matters. Where the damage is valued at £5,000 or less, an ordinary criminal damage charge is usually dealt with only in the magistrates’ court. Arson and damage endangering life are treated differently. The law also recognises lawful excuse, for example where you honestly believed the owner would have consented, or acted to protect property you believed was in immediate need of protection.

Early advice can make a real difference. Questions of intent, recklessness, value and ownership are often arguable, and the account you give in interview may shape the case. Our solicitors attend police stations 24 hours a day and represent clients personally in court, so the lawyer who knows your case is the one presenting it.

What we do for you

  • 24-hour attendance at police interview
  • Challenges to valuations and repair estimates
  • Advice on lawful excuse and honest belief
  • Review of fire investigation and forensic evidence
  • Representation in the magistrates’ court and Crown Court

Allegations we defend

We defend damage allegations of every scale, from vandalism to arson.

  1. Criminal damage

    Destroying or damaging another’s property intentionally or recklessly, under section 1(1).

  2. Arson

    Destroying or damaging property by fire.

  3. Damage endangering life

    Damage intended to endanger life, or reckless as to whether life is endangered.

  4. Threats to destroy or damage property

    Threats intended to make someone fear they would be carried out, under section 2.

  5. Possession with intent to damage

    Having an item intending to use it to damage property, under section 3.

  6. Racially or religiously aggravated damage

    Allegations under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

  7. Graffiti and vandalism

    Lower-level damage allegations, including those dealt with in the magistrates’ court.

How we defend a criminal damage case

Our approach is practical and proportionate, matched to the seriousness of the allegation.

  1. Police interview

    We advise you before interview and can attend 24 hours a day, including on questions of intent, ownership and lawful excuse.

  2. First hearing

    We explain the charge and advise on plea and, where relevant, on which court should hear the case.

  3. Preparing the defence

    We test the valuation, review CCTV and any fire investigation evidence, and gather material that supports your account.

  4. Trial or resolution

    We present your defence at trial or, where appropriate, mitigation that fairly reflects your circumstances, including any offer to repair or compensate.

Attiq Malik

Key contact

Attiq Malik

Principal Solicitor

A prominent criminal defence solicitor, Attiq has won acquittals on Channel 4’s ‘24 Hours in Police Custody’ and been praised by the Law Society of England and Wales. He specialises in serious crime and employment law.

  • Previously Band 1 for Crime, Chambers
  • Higher Rights advocate
  • Duty solicitor
He has terrific courage and belief in the system, showing that it works. He’s out there fighting the good fight.
24-hour line 01582 853 783 Request a callback

What our clients say

Real feedback from the people we have represented, published on ReviewSolicitors and Google.

Craig Woods
Craig Woods
★★★★★
Contacted liberty law and from start to finish very happy with the whole process very helpful polite and easy to deal with they real do now there stuff
Karen
Karen
★★★★★
I could not recommend this firm enough. They manage to maintain complete professionalism whilst also being personable. Rasheda and Dean clearly explained every step of the process from beginning to end, with Dean taking the time to explain all of legal jargon. I really appreciated this as it made, what started as a daunting experience, so much easier to complete. I am so glad that I took the time to look around and read reviews before choosing any local firm. It really made a difference. Thank you Liberty Law.
Muhammad Khan
Muhammad Khan
★★★★★
Liberty Law took over my case at its hardest point. Dean Garrett was calm, straight-talking and on top of every detail from the first call: he strengthened my case, instructed an outstanding barrister, and his judgement was right at every turn. Rasheda kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes — calls arranged, documents where they needed to be, nothing ever too much trouble. My case concluded on day two of the final hearing, with an outcome I was very pleased with. They believed in my case when it mattered, and they delivered. Highly recommended.
Chapo
Chapo
★★★★★
I had an excellent experience. They were professional, knowledgeable, and always kept me informed throughout the process. They took the time to answer my questions, provided clear advice, and worked hard to achieve a great outcome. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and dedicated legal representation. If you are looking for professionalism and results you have come to the right place!!
Tinksy 37
Tinksy 37
★★★★★
Cannot thank the guys enough my solicitor went absolutely above and beyond
Abdul Basit
Abdul Basit
★★★★★
I contacted Liberty Law Solicitors regarding one of my legal cases. Throughout the past year, Mr. Faris Nazar handled my case with exceptional dedication, honesty, sincerity, and professionalism. Thanks to his hard work and expertise, I was ultimately successful in my case. I can confidently say that this firm is highly professional and genuinely committed to serving its clients. They have earned my trust, and I would highly recommend their services.👏
Mohammed
Mohammed
★★★★★
Where do I even start from the start to the very end they delivered I can’t thank the team and Itsam Malik enough for the results we was looking at 16-20 years and they got it down to 3 years which turned into 10 months the whole team and Itsam malik are great people!
M. T
M. T
★★★★★
I cannot thank Liberty Law Solicitors enough for the support and representation I received during a very difficult and stressful time. My solicitor Dean Garrett was honest, clear, and professional from the outset, explaining my situation and the possible outcomes without giving false reassurance. I really appreciated that level of transparency. The preparation for the hearing was thorough and made a real difference. I felt well guided throughout the process and was able to stay calm and focused because of the support I received. I am very grateful for the work carried out on my case and would highly recommend Liberty Law Solicitors to anyone in need of strong, honest, and professional legal representation.
Kamal Hussain
Kamal Hussain
★★★★★
I recently sought advice and support from Atiq at Liberty Law Solicitors regarding an employment matter. I’m genuinely grateful for the way Atiq handled everything. He made the whole process feel manageable, took the time to explain things clearly, and provided steady reassurance throughout. Knowing I had someone knowledgeable and dependable guiding me made a big difference. It’s incredibly reassuring to have Atiq and the team at Liberty Law in your corner. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
View more reviews

Questions people ask

General information, not advice on your case. For that, speak to us — the first conversation costs nothing.

Does the value of the damage matter?

Yes. Where the value of the damage is £5,000 or less, an ordinary criminal damage charge is usually tried only in the magistrates’ court. Higher-value cases can be heard in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. Valuations can be challenged, so the figure the prosecution relies on should always be checked.

Can I be charged for damaging my own property?

Ordinary criminal damage concerns property belonging to someone else, which can include property in which another person also has an interest, such as jointly owned property. The more serious offences of damage or arson endangering life can apply to your own property. We can advise on how the law applies to your situation.

What is a lawful excuse?

The Act recognises a lawful excuse where you honestly believed the owner would have consented, or where you acted to protect property you believed was in immediate need of protection and the steps you took were reasonable in the circumstances. The belief must be honestly held, but it does not have to be justified. These defences do not apply to damage intended to endanger life.

Is arson always tried in the Crown Court?

No. Arson can be tried in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court, depending on its seriousness. Arson with intent to endanger life, or reckless as to whether life is endangered, is more serious and can only be tried in the Crown Court.

Nothing on this page is legal advice, and no solicitor–client relationship is created by reading it. Every case turns on its own facts.

Tell us what has happened.

The first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Two offices, one emergency line, and a solicitor at the end of it.

Luton office

01582 853 783
43 Windmill Road
Luton LU1 3XL

9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

London office

0208 528 1019
107–111 Fleet Street
London EC4A 2AB

9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

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24-hour line 01582 853 783