What Is the Difference Between Attempted Murder and GBH?
by Kelsey Reid | Sexual Offences
Old Bailey Solicitors
Affray Solicitors in Brighton
Specialist Affray Solicitors in Brighton
If you’ve been accused of affray in Brighton or Sussex, it’s vital to get legal advice from solicitors experienced in defending public order offences.
At Old Bailey Solicitors, our affray solicitors in Brighton combine expert knowledge of criminal law with a deep understanding of how these cases are handled in the local courts. We provide clear, practical advice and strong representation from the moment you’re arrested through to the conclusion of your case.
Our Brighton based affray defence lawyers will explore every possible line of defence, including:
Self-defence or defence of another
Mistaken identity or unreliable witness testimony
Insufficient evidence or lack of intent
Duress or acting under threat
We also secure expert evidence and detailed witness statements to support your position, challenging the prosecution’s case from the start.
For timely, specialist advice from affray solicitors in Brighton, please call us on 01273 044647.
Our experience includes defending allegations of the following offences:
What is Affray?
Affray is a public order offence under Section 3 of the Public Order Act 1986. It occurs when someone uses or threatens unlawful violence in a way that would make an ordinary person present fear for their safety.
The offence can take place in public or private, and even a single act of aggression may meet the legal test.
Affray is an either-way offence, meaning it can be heard in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court depending on the seriousness. The maximum penalty is three years’ imprisonment, but many cases result in fines or community-based sentences if handled effectively.
Affray vs Other Public Order Offences
Affray is distinct from other public order offences such as:
Common Assault or Battery, which involve lower-level violence
Violent Disorder, which requires three or more people using or threatening violence together
Threatening Behaviour or Section 4/5 Public Order Act offences, which involve verbal threats or disorderly conduct
Understanding these differences can make a major difference to the strategy and eventual outcome of your case.
Common Brighton Scenarios
Our affray solicitors in Brighton regularly advise and represent clients facing charges arising from:
Nightlife incidents in the city centre or seafront areas
Fights outside pubs, clubs, or sporting events
Domestic disputes where the police allege public disorder
Protests or gatherings along the Brighton seafront or in public squares
Brighton’s lively nightlife and busy calendar of public events often mean police are quick to bring public order charges. Early representation ensures your side of the story is properly heard before matters escalate.
Possible Defences to Affray
Our Brighton affray lawyers will always consider the full context of what happened. Common defences include:
Acting in self-defence or defence of another person
Lack of intent — accidental or reflexive behaviour, not deliberate violence
Mistaken identity due to confusion or poor-quality evidence
Duress — being threatened or forced into acting
We work closely with independent barristers and expert witnesses to test the prosecution’s evidence and highlight weaknesses in their case.
How Our Brighton Affray Solicitors Can Help
When you contact Old Bailey Solicitors Brighton, you’ll receive support from a specialist team with experience handling affray and public order offences across Sussex, including cases heard at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Lewes Crown Court, and Worthing Magistrates’ Court.
Our services include:
24-hour police station attendance and advice at interview
Assessing whether the charge of affray is appropriate or excessive
Gathering and analysing CCTV, witness evidence, and mobile data
Advising on potential defences such as self-defence or mistaken identity
Preparing robust mitigation to reduce penalties or avoid conviction altogether
We focus on protecting your reputation, minimising stress, and achieving the best possible outcome – whether that means persuading the police not to charge or defending you at trial.
Affray Sentencing in Brighton Courts
Penalties depend on the seriousness of the incident and your level of involvement. Courts look at factors such as:
Whether weapons were used
The level of injury or damage caused
Whether the violence was spontaneous or planned
Your previous character and remorse
Sentences can range from community orders to custody, but skilled advocacy and early mitigation often lead to more favourable outcomes.
Contact our Affray Solicitors in Brighton
If you or someone you know has been arrested, charged, or invited to attend a police interview about an affray offence in Brighton, seek advice now.
The earlier you involve our team, the greater the chance of a positive outcome.
Old Bailey Solicitors
Sussex House, Crowhurst Rd
Hollingbury
Brighton
East Sussex BN1 8AF
Phone: 01273 044647
Email: [email protected]
How to find us
Arriving by car:
There is short term parking available at the nearby Asda supermarket.
Arriving via public transport:
Our office on Crowhurst Road is helpfully situated near a number of bus stops served by the bus numbers 5B, 24, 26, 52, 55 and N5 coming out from the centre of Brighton.
Accessibility
We are determined to make our office environment accessible for all, so if you have any special requirements, please do not hesitate to get in touch so we can arrange how we can accommodate you.
