What to expect at Trial?

[doubletake]

Hello, can any1 tell me what to expect on trial? as the trial is coming closer and we dont have a clue?

[Saffron]

Hi Doubletake

You will be searched and have your bags x-rayed as you enter the courthouse. Anyone entering has their bags searched/xrayed as well. You should meet with your barrister and sol who will go over the procedure. A security guard will take you to the dock (you may or may not be handcuffed for this). Your family and friends can enter/leave the courtroom at any time, it is a public space. They will not be allowed to take any food or drink in.


The jury will be sworn in and both barristers will be given the opportunity to object to any of the jury. There will probably be some legal arguments, which the jury are not allowed to hear, but you and the public gallery will hear them.

The prosecution barrister will outline the case and call witnesses. Your barrister will have the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses. If you think of anything you want your barrister to ask, you can pass a note to your sol who will then speak to the barrister. If your accuser is giving evidence, she will probably do so from behind a screen or via videolink. Sometimes the accuser can request for the public gallery to be cleared before she enters the courtroom. She will probably cry and be offered tissues.

It is then the turn of the defence. You will be called as a witness and your barrister will ask you pre-arranged questions. s/he should have gone through these with you prior to the case. The prosecution barrister will question you. Be prepared! Stay calm, address your comments to the jury, don't get fired up. If you think you might cry, don't fight it! Your credibility is everything and jurors feel sympathy for people who cry. These kind of cases are largely a popularity contest.

Any other defence witnesses will be called, questioned and the cross-examined. Both barristers will "sum-up" the case.

The judge will then sum up and the jury will retire to consider their verdict. You must wait outside the courtroom, or within easy reach, throughout this time.

During this whole process there will be breaks, lunch breaks and overnight periods. Each time your barrister will have to gain the judges permission for you to leave the courthouse, and if overnight, for you not to be remanded. This is normal so don't panic. However I recommend you take a Nasty Bag just in case. Never underestimate the power of clean pants, socks and your own toothbrush!

While the jury are considering, they may call you back to the courtroom to ask questions. This is normal, and can even be encouraging - it means they are thinking about the evidence. When they have reached a decision you will be called back, and the judge will ask the foreman of the jury what their verdict is.

If the verdict is Not Guilty you will be allowed to leave more or less immediately. It is a good idea to look at the jury and say Thankyou.

If the verdict is Guilty, the jury will be dismissed and more legal argument will ensue. If the judge chooses to delay sentencing pending pre-sentence reports (very common) then the prosecution will probably argue that you should be remanded. Your counsel will argue against remand. It is impossible to say what the likelihood of remand is, sorry!

Hope that helps. The whole process is scary and intimidating, but try to stay calm. Make sure you look smart, but not too smart. I am convinced that the jury had no sympathy for my R because he was wearing a very good suit and tie, as all of us supporters were. Her supporters (all 2 of them) were in jeans and t-shirts. This reinforced the "helpless young woman assaulted by her boss" image. Make sure you answer clearly and don't let anything rile you while you are on the stand.

Good luck. Please let us know how you get on.

[doubletake]

Hi Saffron

Hello, thank's for all the advise! and we shall be sure to let u all know how it goes! this forum has been a GREAT help to us thanks!

[Rights Fighter]

Another thing - do not wear black trousers and white shirt because should the worst happen they will be taken from you because they are the same colours as those worn by prison officers.

[doubletake]

Hi RF

What should be worn then? obviosly i want him to look respectable

[Rights Fighter]

Smart jacket and trousersm brown, navy blue, anything but black and white. You have the list for the "nasty bag?"

[doubletake]

Hi RF

Hello, Yes we have seen the list but he dont wana take it because if he has that they might automaticly think he must be guilty coz he is expecting to go to prison

[Rights Fighter]

The jury won't see it. The def arrives into the courtroom before the jury does every time

[doubletake]

Hello

Oh right ok i shall mention this to him can u possibly private messege me RF? i would just like your oppinion on something

[Rights Fighter]

If I PM you then that would mean I would have to open up the floodgates for others to do that - I don't mind if it is invited but not when people just assume they can get "legal advice" without even posting on this forum. Some of the PMs I used to get were extremely explicit - no need for that whatsoever, so I stopped it.

Did you apply to join the private forum but never come back to me with the answers to certain questions? If this is you and you join that forum and let me have your landline number I can call you.

[doubletake]

Hello

Hello i've posted on here quite a few times what private forum? i think i did sign up to 1 befor but i never receved a confermation email back x

[Rights Fighter]

Somebody called "doubletake" applied but did not reply to my message asking for certain details so I did not allow the application through.

As it's a private forum then the safety and confidentiality of the members is paramount which is why certain questions have to be answered. All members are screened unless I know who they are. No information is shared other than what you yourself share on that forum.

[doubletake]

Hello

Hi, yes that was most likely me then =( can you give me the forum name again? i'll join back up to it sorry for not replying to your email befour i didnt reliase i'd receved 1

[Rights Fighter]

I'll PM you from there.


Edit: just sent you a PM from the private forum asking for your phone number. check your spam or junk mail box in case it goes there.

[doubletake]

Hello

Hi ok, have u still got my email adress?