Finding Out Sentence

[nailit]

Can you find out what someone has been sentenced to (fine, imprisonment etc) by simply ringing up the court and do they have a legal obligation to tell you if requested?
Thanks.

[nailit]

Providing its already not in the public domain...local paper etc.

[EDDIE51]

No they do not have to tell you, in fact they are not allowed to tell anyone who is not directly connected to the case. ( defendant , victim, partner etc)
You may get the information from the local paper if they sent a reporter, but they don't bother with most cases.
The only sure way is to sit in the public gallery and listen to the case.
There is a publication called 'The Law Pages' that I believe reports all court cases but it is only available to registered lawyers / solicitors.

[EDDIE51]

If it's your son Nalit they will probably tell you as his Father and closest relative.

[sherrardk]

You can see sentences on the Law Pages but you do need to sign-up.

[nailit]

Thats very interesting EDDIE, thank you.
Reason I asked is that my son was in court Tuesday. Havnt seen him since Monday night and have had a text conversation with his mum who hasnt seen him either) that her boyfriend has rang a friend who works in the court (dont know in what capacity) who told him that he has been fined £160.

[nailit]

have you got a link please sherrardk?

[EDDIE51]

Most public libraries have subscriptions to the Law Pages so you can use the library computer to look at it. You need to be a solicitor or lawyer to buy your own personal subscription.

[EDDIE51]

nalit as I said you can only see The Law Pages court lists if you have a subscription and only lawyers can subscribe, but there is a way round it by using your library to look it up.
But as his father they should tell you if you ask and explain the situation.

[nailit]

EDDIE, so his mums boyfriend's friend had no authority to give him information re my son?

[EDDIE51]

The court will only give information to a close relative, his Mum's boyfriend is not a relative , so the court should not give him any information. But he may have lied and claimed to be the Father and the court just took him on trust and told him. I would phone up and ask, they can only say no.
Otherwise you could ask a solicitor to look it up, but they are probably going to charge you. Does he have a probation officer? if so he/she would know the sentence.

[nailit]

Thank you EDDIE. As stated in my post at 19:28, I know what happened to my son in court, £160 fine. But I just found it strange that I only found out because his mums boyfriend knew someone who worked at the court who told him on the phone and me (as his father) had to find out out that way.
//But he may have lied and claimed to be the Father and the court just took him on trust and told him.//
He didnt have to lie, he had a friend who worked there in some capacity or other and told him outright.
Youve been very helpful as always EDDIE, thank you. Im just not happy that his mothers latest bit of stuff gets to know about my son before I do just because he has a friend in the courts.

[sherrardk]

Sorry nailit, got sidetracked - http://www.thelawpages.com

I've looked up sentences just by signing up and it doesn't cost anything, don't know how quickly it's updated though.

[EDDIE51]

Sorry about that nalit. But if a court staff member chooses to divulge confidential information there is little you can do about it. The 'friend in court' should not have told the Mums BF anything and he could be in trouble if his employers hear about it. The problem will be proving anything!

[EDDIE51]

You could have phoned the clerk to the court nalit they should tell you , his father and 'landlord' . But you have to ask , they don't phone round a defendant's relatives to say what happened. Even if he had been 'sent down' they don't tell anyone, the offender is supposed to be offered a phone call but it sometimes does not happen.

[nailit]

Ok, thank you both EDDIE and Sherrardk.
Much as I suspected EDDIE, but just like to get my facts straight for future reference.
Thanks you both so much for replies.

[nailit]

//the offender is supposed to be offered a phone call but it sometimes does not happen.//
Yes, I know that one well EDDIE.
I was transferred from Shrewsbury prison to Walton prison back in 1998 on the day I was due a visit. Never got the phone call and my visitors turned up by the time I was 50 miles away in another nick.