court

[hayleyg998]

im 18 and was charged with ABH at harlow majastrates court, the assult involved 2 boys beating up one boy. the aggreved has said that i held him against the wall with my hand over his mouth and stopped him from leaving the flat, i have not done what he has said ive done but have been charged and have another court date at majastrates in chelmsford. this is my first offence what do you think will be the outcome?

[sara3]

why would they change magistrates' courts? or is it going to crown court?

[Future]

they gave us a slip saying to go to magistrates court for our trial

[hayleyg998]

they gave me a slip at harlow magistrates court saying we will go to chelmsford magistrates court

[sara3]

^ dual identity issues?? ^

[Barmaid]

I don't think you should read anything into the change of court. Because we now have "speedy summary justice", although a case may start at one mags court, the trial will often be held elsewhere. Cases are listed depending on what court time is needed. For instance, some court now only deal with prelims and sentences but do not do trials. I suspect that this is what has happened here. Harlow I know only has one court that runs trials (the other is a general/remand court) so cases will be listed to fit around that.

As to what will be the outcome, what were the injuries? You have not given enough information to be able to assist. I take it you have legal advice?

[hayleyg998]

it was just bruising on the face and yes i have got legal advice

[danchip]

i was found guilty in a similar case and it was my first offence although the guy ended up with a cut eyebrow and ear, i got a 2 year conditional discharge expenses and �100 compensation to pay,

i never actually hit the guy although he claims i did and was advised by my solicitor to accept the ruling as he put it, its just a slap on the wrist and it'd cost more than the fine and compensation to appeal against the decision.

dont worry about it and go with whatever your solicitor advises you

[terambulan]

Am confused.....surely if a person is innocent of a charge, they should NOT plead guilty? Is a 'recommended' guilt plea to save court time & expense.

Isn't a person Innocent until proven guilty?

[hayleyg998]

do u think i will go to prison???

[hayleyg998]

do you think i will go to prision?

[danchip]

terambulan, in an ideal world you would be innocent till proven guilty ( which it states in the law) however this isn't an ideal world this is britain where a majority of the police have already decided your guilty and dont care about facts and where the judicial system is that bad your life can be affected by 3 basically educated untrained people who have already made their mind up without hearing all the facts.

solicitors can recommend you to plead guilty if they think you may be found guilty to try and show the mags that you have owned up to it and are willing to be punished for the crime, this sometimes leads to a lesser sentence

Hayley, i dont think you'll go to prison, compensation and costs will be the likely outcome

[hayleyg998]

its been going on since july and i was rebailed 3 times before they charged me. i attended court on the 23rd of october and my next court date is 19th dec. how long will this go on for?

[hayleyg998]

its been going on since july and i was rebailed 3 times before they charged me. i attended court on the 23rd of october and my next court date is 19th dec. how long will this go on for??

[danchip]

your case is very similar to mine, the offence happened in july kept getting rebailed till the october, first hearing was in the december and finally after numerous hearings the actual case was sorted out in the may so it can take a while