{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Becoming Lucy","title":"ASKING FOR A SOLICITOR DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE GUILTY: Criminal Law, Racism & Turning Pain into Purpose","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":5627,"description":"Does asking for a solicitor make you look guilty? And if you’ve done nothing wrong, why would you need one?\n\nLucy and Hana sit down with criminal law solicitor and law firm owner Shazia Ali for a conversation that changes how they think about legal representation — from what a solicitor actually does to why Shazia wouldn’t represent herself.\n\nWe’re used to hearing “I’ll call my solicitor” on the telly. But what happens when you’re the person who needs one? We explore understanding your rights, the decisions you face and why having someone in your corner matters.\n\n⸻\n\nBehind that insight is a remarkable personal story. One of seven siblings growing up in Greater Manchester, Shazia experienced racist abuse on the way to school, started working at 14 and funded her own education before going on to build Scarsdale Solicitors.\n\n🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE\n\n• Why asking for a solicitor doesn’t mean you’re guilty.\n\n• What a criminal solicitor actually does — and why even Shazia wouldn’t represent herself.\n\n• Understanding your rights and getting advice before making decisions about your case.\n\n• Growing up in a big family, navigating cultural expectations and facing racism.\n\n• Working at 14, funding her education and building her own law firm.\n\n• Supporting women experiencing domestic abuse and her plans for a pro bono department.\n\n• Balancing motherhood, ambition and a business built around her values.\n\n⸻\n\nThere’s laughter, a few changed opinions and a look at the person behind the profession — and Lucy is delighted to finally have someone she can call “my solicitor” while Hana hopes she never has to use one 🙌🏼😂\n\n⸻\n\nCONNECT WITH SHAZIA & SCARSDALE SOLICITORS\n\nInstagram:\nhttps://www.instagram.com/_scarsdale.solicitors/\n\nTikTok:\nhttps://www.tiktok.com/@scarsdalesolicitors\n\nFacebook:\nhttps://www.facebook.com/ScarsdaleSolicitors/\n\nShazia’s LinkedIn:\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shazia-ali-177401277/\n\nScarsdale Solicitors LinkedIn:...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/GuSfZ5U_EMZfpa4Gn3hDD4e3-WqB3IQdq7dcFX40AuE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xNDBm/ZTMyYTkzYTQ1ZWQ2/YTczN2ZkNWFmZDNi/ZDJkMS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}