Attending A Court??

[itsmefolks]

I am wondering if anyone knows what the court system is regarding attending as a court as the victim of a crime? We recently had some low life break in and steal from our home. They took a large sum of cash and various hard earned items, lap tops, phones, tablets etc! I have just received a message from the local police who say they have arrested someone carrying out a similar crime in the area and they have admitted to others as well as ours!! I will be speaking to the police in the morning when he is back on duty but wondered in the mean time if anyone could help? Will I be able to attend court to watch and see what goes on? Also what information will I be privy too if I can`t attend?? I hate the thought of not knowing who it is as I just want to know what the low life looks like for future reference! I know I will find out in the morning but just wondered if anyone knew to put my mind at rest. Thanks in advance.

[Eve]

Give the court a ring and explain your queries and see if you can arrange to go down there and see what it is like and if there is anyone you can speak to.

[itsmefolks]

Cheers for that however I haven`t the court detail as yet! Maybe in the morning??

[Buenchico]

With very few exceptions (which don't apply here anyway) ALL court proceedings are open to anyone over the age of 14. So of course you can attend.

[murraymints]

unless you're a material wit n ess..but then you would know that....

[itsmefolks]

Wonderfull news. Thanks for that very much. I just want to face the thing that stole my hard earned cash. No doubt the court will give it a telling off and tell it to paint some railing for a few days!! No problem anyway as I will at least know the scum and that will suffice if you get my drift?? Slowly slowly catchy monkey low life!! Cheers again.

[murraymints]

try and keep the heid...little known Scottish saying....

[itsmefolks]

I understand. Cheers.

[shoota]

If you are a victim who may be required to give evidence you may not sit in the courtroom BEFORE you have given evidence in case your evidence is tainted.
After you have given evidence and been released by the court you may sit in and hear the rest of the case.
If your evidence is given in statement form and accepted by the court end the defence you may, at the discretion of the prosecuting solicitor sit in for the whole case.
Rule is: be guided by the prosecuting solicitor and do exactly what he suggests.

[ummmm]

When I was burgled the police phoned me to say they'd arrested the man who done it. The next I heard was months and months later when I they wrote to me to say he'd been sentenced to 4.5 years.

[New Judge]

Keep in touch with the police and CPS.

If your burglar pleads guilty (and he is aged eighteen or over) you may attend court to see him sentenced. (In fact there are provisions in the Youth Court procedures for victims to attend even if the accused is under 18). If you do not wish to attend you should be kept informed of the outcome by the police.

If there is to be a trial then the provisions outlined by shoota apply.

If you do attend court, even if there is no trial and you are not required to attend as a witness, the court’s Witness Support Service (part of Victim Support) will accompany provided they know in advance you would like their support.

[TheHangman]

There is a public gallery

[itsmefolks]

Thanks for all that information! I am not required as a witness but have been informed that I can attend to watch. I just want to see him in person for future reference. I have since found out that he was caught burgling another house in the area and he has admitted to burgling ours. He is 22 years of age and it is his first time. That means that he will walk scott free encouraged to do it again by the system. I work 6 days a week 10 hours a day and this low life has taken my hard earned cash and belonging in seconds. The penalty I would dish out is to make the thing work to pay back everything stolen plus compensation. I guess I can dream eh?? Thanks again.

[EDDIE51]

Was your stuff covered by insurance ? you can ask for a compensation order but don't hold your breath over seeing any cash.
If you do attend the trial you are not allowed to attempt to speak to the defendent or contact him in any way, you can look but that is all.

[New Judge]

Sentencing guidelines for domestic burglary are quite complex as there is a wide range of seriousness. If you are so inclined you can read them here:

http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/Burglary_Definitive_Guideline_web_final.pdf

Note that the features in the guidelines which help the court determine seriousness are NOT exhaustive and there may be other features present which will influence the sentence. It is the job of the prosecutor to highlight anything he thinks the court should hear.

You will see that if the burglary reaches “category 2” there is a fair chance that the miscreant will receive a custodial sentence. However, bear in mind that even if the custody threshold is passed, a “suspended” prison sentence is often imposed for a first time offender, particularly if he pleads Guilty.

If you do attend (assuming a guilty plea is entered) you will hear the prosecutor provide detailed facts of the case to the court and the defendant’s advocate speak on his behalf before the court announces its sentence. Also bear in mind that the case will probably be listed for either 10am or 2pm and you may have to wait some time before the case is called on. You can sit in the public gallery for the entire session (and so see other matters the court is dealing with) but make sure you sit in the right court as most court houses have more than one courtroom.

[EDDIE51]

New Judge is correct as usual . I assume you know the name of your burglar ? I ask because the court list will show the cases to be heard in court with the name of the defendents due to appear in each room . eg Court 1, F Bloggs. J Smith, B Jones.
Court 2 D Williams , G Evans , H Mann
You need to look and see in which room 'your ' case is due to be heard.

[itsmefolks]

I have been told his name by the police. I have also been told by a probation officer that the case will be referred to a crown court!! This is because we were burgled whilst we were in our home at the time!! Superb! More time for the little weasle to worry.

[excelsior-1]

good evening

i would not dare to presume and give advice on a matter upon which i have no knowledge .. and it already looks like you have had adequate responses.

i will just say that i am sorry you were targeted, and i hope you can observe what happens in the court - and will at least feel some sense of justice.

good luck to you

[Canary42]

I have only ever attended Crown Court as a juryman, and I would warn you that it can be VERY VERY boring after the first flush of "new experience" has gone.

Nevertheless, hope you find the experience interesting (a good porn case before yours comes up perhaps !!!!). On the other hand I hope you don't witness any distressing cases.

P.S. The judge on one of my cases turned out to be a paedophile !

[itsmefolks]

Many thanks for the support and input. To put the record straight, I am attending the court or one thing and one thing only. This is to identify this young man. I will go to the magistrates court just to see him, and then that will be that! The only reason going is to identify him then I will recognise him if I ever see him again. No doubt this will also help in bringing closure. Regards to all.