Approaching the Plea Hearing...

[Hopeful]

Hi all

Our little baby is here, who is now 12 days old and he is a wonderful distraction from this nightmare. The plea hearing is in a week and I am starting to feel sick every day again thinking about it. My partner had a meeting last week with his Barrister who was very good. He is very blunt and to the point and my partner said he feels very confident with him, however, he did say that she has some good evidence as he partner has given a statement sayiing that he confessed to him (why on earth would he) and it could really go either way, so needless to say I am struggling to control my emotions. I am so scared of losing him for such a long time and I am scared for him to have to go through some of his life in prison. I am trying to stay positive, but as he has said to me a few times, we have to face the fact that it could happen.

He is beginning to get his anxiety back now that the Plea Hearing is approaching... and I was wondering if anyone has any words of advice or can give us an insight as to what to expect?

Thank you

[barney]

I completely understand how you feel, but trust me the PCMH (plea and case managenet hearing) is nothing to be worried about. IFrom my experience,he will simply be read the charge and enter his not guily plea. The Barristers/Judge/Court recorder will discuss dates for trial and more than likely a date will be set. it really is a short and simple process. Tell him to stand strong and proud when he enters his plea of NOT GUILTY.

He will placed behind a bullet proof screen and have a guard with him but believe me when I say the guard I had was a nice chap and explained to me what was going to happen and who everyone in the court was. Please let your solicitor know if he could hear every word spoken as sometimes the glass blocks out the sound and if their is no amplication system he needs to let the solicitor know in case he is in the same court for his trial as at trial he will need to hear every word spoken.

I hope this helps and please please stay strong for the fight ahead.

Take care

[fighter]

hopeful, this hearing is nothing much to worry about as barney said, although of course to read every charge against him would be hard. But the positive point here is that you will get a trial date which is like a marker of hopefully the end of this nightmare.

I can relate to all your fears-- the thought is so awful and just literally break your heart having been through that. But I hope you can find courage and strength to conquer the fear and keep the faith that things will be alright as it would make it easier for both of you. Make sure you have the best team to defend him, be proactive and believe you will win the case. Hang in there.. may the baby continuously inspire you to fight as hard as you can.

[Hopeful]

Thank you both of you. I am feeling a little stronger this week, I just have a constant sickness but it's under control. He has been okay over the weekend and I explained to him that he is not to worry to much about this Hearing. It's just the fact that someone like him should have to go through this at all. And the newspaper coverage afterwards... that was awful last time as it was on every board outside shops and supermarkets in our local town and he has grown up here. She sent in a picture of him in his Police Uniform from when he used to be a Police Officer, so that was on the front cover of all the local papers - she's a vindictive piece of work.

He has already been given the trial dates which will be in January over four days... so at least we get to spend Christmas with our children. I will keep you posted and thank you again for all your advice and help so far, it is a huge help.

[barney]

Stay strong together and focus on the happy times.

Take Care

[billykickass]

I can just echo what everyone else has said my plea hearing was back in May and my trial is Feb so were on similar timelines. But the plea hearing is nothing to worry about, just another hoop to jump through for the muppets putting us in this situation. My advice plan a really nice day together for after the hearing is over. (mine was on a thurs so i took the fri off too) so we went to the beach in the afternoon and had a great time. Also like you say trial isnt till 2013 so xmas is in the bag... So eat drink and be merry.

[brokenman81]

Billy mine is in weeks few. 11 mths of hell!!

[whatsgoingon?]

My son had his last week. Trial in January. If you've never been in a courtroom before it's impressive, but it does give you to have a look-in before the big day and the setting and court procedure etc won't be totally unfamiliar. Good luck.

[brokenman81]

My trial is in weeks

[So angry and hurt]

So angry and hurt

I wonder, why are some trails so soon? Is it to do with the area? This is a terrifying time but at least you can soon hopefully put it all behind you, I wish you all the best and will pray for strength and calm for you and your family.

[brokenman81]

I wonder, why are some trails so soon? Is it to do with the area? This is a terrifying time but at least you can soon hopefully put it all behind you, I wish you all the best and will pray for strength and calm for you and your family.

Thank u very much. God bless

[So angry and hurt]

So angry and hurt

Sorry forgot to say ..........of course I will be praying for bananas too!

[erin]

I wonder, why are some trails so soon? Is it to do with the area? This is a terrifying time but at least you can soon hopefully put it all behind you, I wish you all the best and will pray for strength and calm for you and your family.

I wonder why as well some trials are so quick and others like my bloody ****ing trial is nearing the 2 year mark it's stange

[erin]

sorry im so frustrated my trial is in feb 2013 i was accused feb 2011 just soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sick of it all sick of of the time wasted but life is not fair but it goes on

[erin]

some trials are quicker then others because the courts are very often full up or some evidence might be still pending or they are waiting for a witness to come back from his or her 1 year trip from bali or the lawyers for the dpp are not ready could be a number of reasons but im guessing anyone a lawyer on here who can expand on why?