Charged

[Lilyput]

Please don't give up!! Plenty of people have gone to court to get not guilty verdicts. Half the battle is keeping the facts straight in your head and getting a really good legal team, from what others have said.

This is huge and you don't have to deal with this alone, at all. I would absolutely seek counselling, you need to be in the strongest frame of mind possible for a trial. Lean on your friends and family, you'll really need them right now. Sorry not to be of more help hun but looks like you've been given some terrific advice so far!

[Rights Fighter]

I am so sorry you have wasted money paying a barrister (and a solicitor?) pre charge. Time and again it has been said on here that "going private" at this stage is unlikely to help get a NFA.

You now need to find a solicitor who is experienced in defending false allegations of sexual abuse / rape, as opposed to defending sex cases, there is a world of difference.

Are you eligible for legal aid? If you are, there are some pretty fab LA sols and barristers out there.

If you are not eligible for LA then one of the best private client solicitors in the UK is the one in my tagline - http://www.chrissaltrese.co.uk

If you are a LA client, the first thing you need to do is to confirm in which area a trial will be held and find a good solicitor who covers that patch.

[Franticwithworry]

Please let me tell you something that I know will be hard to get straight in your head but it is important - the shame is in other people's minds. You are innocent of the crime of which you have been accused and there is NO shame there. You may have been unfaithful but that is between you and your wife and no-one else's business.

You need help to get through the strain of the next while because the unthinkable has been done to you. Not only have you been falsely accused of a crime but you have been falsely accused of a heinous crime. The shame should fall on the shoulders of the accuser. Please never lose sight of that.

Please don't take it on yourself to be crushed by events. There is help for you here and your wife and children need you more than you can know.

Please take the wonderful advice you have been given here and find the strength to hold your head high.

[itsover]

Thanks again everyone. I found out from my solicitor today that there is no forensic evidence against me, despite the fact I havent denied being there. I knew this would be the case, but its frustrating nontheless that I am still to be charged when its only someones word against mine. I have an excellent defence, but the only reason I paid pre-charge (a lot of money) was because when I was arrested, my solicitor at the police station told me to say no comment as they felt there was inadequate disclousre. When we found out it was being referred to the CPS we put in my section 9 and character references from several significant people, as well as the barristers letter of representations.

On the one hand, I may have been naive doing this but on the other I have no experience of the "justice" system (irony meant). I never expected to be set up by my own country like this so spent my life savings on trying to ensure I was not charged.

I will now have to tell my employers who I hope will not sack me (can they? innocent til proven guilty and all that...), but will hopefully suspend me until this **** goes away. But regardless, I am told this doesnt neccessarily mean a trial yet but I will look into Chris Saltrese, but I am based in the South East and dont qualify for legal aid.

[Rights Fighter]

Chris works nationally and uses tried and tested barristers and QCs. You can contact him via my signature.

The quote he will give you includes the QC or barrister, unlike others, who quote for themselves and you later end up with a much bigger bill than you thought you would get.

[Franticwithworry]

Thanks again everyone. I found out from my solicitor today that there is no forensic evidence against me, despite the fact I havent denied being there. I knew this would be the case, but its frustrating nontheless that I am still to be charged when its only someones word against mine. I have an excellent defence, but the only reason I paid pre-charge (a lot of money) was because when I was arrested, my solicitor at the police station told me to say no comment as they felt there was inadequate disclousre. When we found out it was being referred to the CPS we put in my section 9 and character references from several significant people, as well as the barristers letter of representations.

On the one hand, I may have been naive doing this but on the other I have no experience of the "justice" system (irony meant). I never expected to be set up by my own country like this so spent my life savings on trying to ensure I was not charged.

I will now have to tell my employers who I hope will not sack me (can they? innocent til proven guilty and all that...), but will hopefully suspend me until this **** goes away. But regardless, I am told this doesnt neccessarily mean a trial yet but I will look into Chris Saltrese, but I am based in the South East and dont qualify for legal aid.

You are not the only one feeling that there is anything but 'justice' about the 'justice system'. I'm so sorry to hear that you are to be charged on nothing but an accuser's word. It makes a nonsense of everything, but others have said that once the charging sheet has been signed, it does give you something to focus on and fight about; that waiting to know is somehow worse.

I don't know what your work will do, but Chris Saltrese works nationally, so it will be worth talking to him at least, I'm sure. If you end up with no job, that may alter the legal aid situation, and he will probably know about that too. There are some really good legal aid solicitors if you qualify, I understand.

Hang in there, and keep talking to us here. You sound to be in a bit better frame of mind than the other day. I hope so and wish you the very best.

[Rights Fighter]

................. but the only reason I paid pre-charge (a lot of money) was because when I was arrested, my solicitor at the police station told me to say no comment as they felt there was inadequate disclousre. When we found out it was being referred to the CPS we put in my section 9 and character references from several significant people, as well as the barristers letter of representations.

On the one hand, I may have been naive doing this but on the other I have no experience of the "justice" .

You were STILL entitled to legal aid at the interview and you should have been told that.

Character references mean diddly squat when it comes to charging decisions and the solicitor would have known that. Your "section 9" statement (it's not a section 9 it's an interview defence statement at that point) would still have come under legal aid.

It really does annoy me to see that some solicitors will try to take money from clients when they are not entitled to it. Between post-interview and charge yes - but not for the interview.

[Aidy]

I read this post earlier, and did mean to reply then....but I kind of got a little upset reading it if i'm honest!
Also a little angry!!!
Not so much angry at you (although actually contemplating sucide with your young family is just wrong!) but just at the whole system and how it operates!

I am 2 weeks away from my 2nd bail date, so I could also be charged then!
This is something I am absolutely dreading....I really hope it doesnt come to this!
But, if the cps decide to, then I will have no choice but to fight my corner!
I also have a young family so I really get where you are coming from!!!

As for your infidelity, that is very unfortunate...and there is a chance your mrs will walk away whatever happens?
Having said that, it does NOT make you a rapist!!!

Just keep your chin up pal, And i'm a big believer in if you feel like **** ie wanting to end your life, then it is best to come on here and be honest!

You come across as a very intelligent poster to me, dont do anything stupid x

[itsover]

Charged yesterday and was horrific as expected. Now its overdrive time to try and get this thrown out before first magistrates date in 4 weeks. Obviously a long shot but its such a weak case I am still staggered its got this far.

I've been suspended from work today too and just utterly lost.

What I'm most worried about is having to give my address in the first court hearing. Firstly for my families safety and secondly for local press coverage. Does anyone have advice on that?

[Dove15]

Stay strong

My trial is set for two months time I have been going through and emotional rollercoaster. My barrister has stated that I have a good case so that has helped. I have to fight now harder than I ever have before and I have Vernon recovery too. Keep fighting don't give up! Fight there is no other choice.

[itsover]

I guess we all need to keep up the good fight. And when this ends for me I'm going to dedicate my life to reforming this evil system