Joseph Carr

Joseph is a diligent criminal practitioner with experience both as a junior alone and led junior representing clients in sensitive and complex cases across a spectrum of criminal offences including serious violence, drug importation, weapons, fraud, public order, and sexual offences.

Joseph primarily practises in criminal prosecution and defence in the Crown Court, being regularly sought to represent clients in serious cases. He also has higher court experience enjoying success in the Court of Appeal, where he has been lauded for his advocacy. Additionally, Joseph has appeared in extradition hearings and regularly appears in proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

As a defence advocate, he frequently represents young persons and individuals with mental health difficulties, and has completed specialist training in relation to vulnerable witnesses and youth advocacy.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Joseph read Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, incorporating a paper on Criminology, Sentencing and the Penal System. Whilst completing the GDL he also volunteered as part of the pro-bono ‘Streetlaw’ programme, where he hosted seminars on various topics with young offenders.

R v C [2024] Instructed to defend a woman charged with money laundering as part of an ongoing four-week trial concerning an alleged conspiracy to supply class A drugs. (Maidstone Crown Court).

R v N [2024] Represented a 40-year-old man charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, in a trial which lasted five weeks. The defendant was one of five accused of involvement in an enterprise operating principally over ‘Encrochat’ between 2019 and 2020, believed to be responsible for the trafficking of around 95kg of cocaine. Unanimously acquitted. (Southampton Crown Court)

R v G [2023] Defended a young mother charged with multiple drug supply offences and money laundering, unanimously acquitted on all counts after trial. (Bristol Crown Court)

R v M [2023] Successful submission of no case to answer for a defendant in a multi-handed joint enterprise robbery. (Chelmsford Crown Court)

R v C [2023] Led by Clodaghmuire Callinan in a 3-week conspiracy to commit dwelling burglary, featuring extensive cell-site analysis, call data records, CCTV, and covert surveillance evidence. (Isleworth Crown Court)

R v S, S, & S [2023] Instructed to prosecute three defendants for ‘rogue trader’ fraud offences committed against a number of vulnerable elderly victims, with a total loss value in excess of £500,000. Lead offender sentenced to 8 years’ custody. (Hove Crown Court)

S v R [2023] Successful appeal against sentence of 49 months’ imprisonment for dwelling burglary and false identity document offences, reduced to 42 months’ imprisonment. (Court of Appeal, Criminal Division)

R v T [2023] Instructed to represent a youth charged with offences of s18 GBH, robbery, attempted robbery, and possession of a bladed article x 2, with the District Judge ultimately persuaded to sentence to a 24-month DTO in lieu of committal following guilty pleas. (Bromley Magistrates’ (Youth) Court)

R v H [2022] Led by Clare Dowse, defending a man charged with 32 counts of historic sexual offending spanning three decades in a trial lasting six weeks. (Guildford Crown Court)

R v C [2022] Defended a man charged with multiple offences against his ex-partner including false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, witness intimidation, and criminal damage. Acquitted on one count following a successful submission of no case to answer, and all other counts at the conclusion of the four-day trial. (Isleworth Crown Court)

R v M [2022] Successful application to dismiss two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. (Croydon Crown Court)

R v B [2022] Defending in a two-day Newton hearing in relation to twelve offences concerning prohibited firearms, weapons and ammunition. Defendant sentenced to the mandatory minimum 5- year sentence overall for 5 separate firearms, 2 caches of ammunition, 10 canisters of CS spray, and 3 stun guns following “very persuasive submissions”. (Kingston Crown Court)

R v R [2021] Successful submission of no case to answer on a number of counts in a trial involving allegations of indecent exposure and sexual assault. Jury discharged and prosecution subsequently offered no evidence. (Cambridge Crown Court)

R v R [2021] Defended a woman over a two-day trial charged with stalking her own husband and his new partner, and successfully opposed a post-acquittal restraining order application. (Staines Magistrates’ Court)

R v S & G [2020] Defended a 15-year-old in a two-day multi-handed knifepoint robbery trial, obtaining an acquittal on the basis of mistaken identification notwithstanding a positive VIPER identification. (Uxbridge Magistrates’ (Youth) Court)

R v J [2019] Acquittal in an assault case where the defendant was alleged to have strangled a 13- year-old girl, relying upon a statutory defence unknown to the District Judge under the Education and Inspections Act 2006. (Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court)