18 years old, falsely accused & charged.

[JJ7]

Hi, after following this forum for a while, I think it would help me to post about my own situation.

On my 18th birthday, I had a one night stand with a girl who I considered a friend at the time. She was very nice in the morning and was speaking with me and the other witnesses
about how funny the night before was. Two days later, four police members turned up outside my house and detained me for around 8 hours before I was interviewed.

At the time, I was so confused and I nearly didn't use a sol as I assumed this is best when you have nothing to hide. Even so, I opted for legal aid which has been super supportive
so far. Fast forward 8 months; and I have had to balance learning to drive, with my a level exams, alongside preparing to permanently move countries to study abroad whilst my parents retire.

My sol told me I have a very strong case and on top of this, told me that the OIC did not believe this case would go anywhere. Well, a couple weeks ago I was informed I had been charged with one count of rape. My friends have been very supportive and I managed to suppress the stress until after my exams which are now finished. Being given unconditional bail, I have now moved abroad but I will be flying back at the end of the month for the early magistrates appearance.

My brother has offered to pay for private aid and I am looking at getting Chris Saltrese as my barrister, as, by the sounds of it, he has a powerful track record. Even so, this s*** is incredibly stressful and I feel terrible to be placing such a strain on my family and friends, as this move should have been such an amazing thing but now I am experiencing the best and worst emotions all at the same time. I don't know, it's not something you can prepare for until it happens to you. And what terrible timing as well

Anyway, there is so much great advice on this forum, I guess I'm just offloading my situation at the moment and how strange it feels. I have faith in my defense however, and have managed to stay resilient so far.

The only potential issue I am looking at right now is that of the local media, I really do not want to be outed for something I haven't done, as I have a relatively large group of friends and acquaintances and I can only imagine that a few will hold the view that there is no smoke without fire. Even so, any advice regarding handling the media, or anything else you feel is relevant would be appreciated very much.

[KB19]

Hi and welcome albeit a sad welcome in some ways ! ,I am afraid I am unable to offer advice on media. Hopefully someone will be here to help you with that .
So sorry you are. In this situation reading what has happened to you looks like it is a very weak case .
I just wanted to say you are so young and it is so sad that someone can just make an accusation with absolutely no thought for yourself and your family and friends. Truly is a awful world at times .
Hoping you get a NFA before it goes further and that you can then carry on with your new life abroad and put this behind you . Such terrible thing to be going through at any age but 18 your still a Babs yourself . Take care of you .

[Denden]

Myself is worried about media I think I will prefer to go to prison for life than media so if it come that I am charge I will prefer die than go to court with my embarrassing story

[Rights Fighter]

JJ7 Chris Saltrese is a well known solicitor who has been specialising in false allegations for many years. If you or you family can afford to pay privately you would get a QC or top notch barrister included within the price. Can you let me know where the trial will be?

Also it might help if you can see the accuser's Facebook (and other social network) profiles as often there is helpful defence evidence there.

You can contact me via Chris Saltrese solicitors Facebook page.

[Rights Fighter]

Myself is worried about media I think I will prefer to go to prison for life than media so if it come that I am charge I will prefer die than go to court with my embarrassing story

Denden could you post up your story on a separate thread please? That way it won't get buried under this one, as people are more likely to answer the original poster on this thread.

[Denden]

Thank you I will next time

[JJ7]

JJ7 Chris Saltrese is a well known solicitor who has been specialising in false allegations for many years. If you or you family can afford to pay privately you would get a QC or top notch barrister included within the price. Can you let me know where the trial will be?

Also it might help if you can see the accuser's Facebook (and other social network) profiles as often there is helpful defence evidence there.

You can contact me via Chris Saltrese solicitors Facebook page.

I have sent you a message on the facebook page, thanks!

[Rights Fighter]

And I have replied. I've been in email contact with Chris this morning. If you email me using the address I gave you on the FB page I can then forward to Chris for his urgent attention

[vvnn8]

Hi, after following this forum for a while, I think it would help me to post about my own situation.

On my 18th birthday, I had a one night stand with a girl who I considered a friend at the time. She was very nice in the morning and was speaking with me and the other witnesses
about how funny the night before was. Two days later, four police members turned up outside my house and detained me for around 8 hours before I was interviewed.

At the time, I was so confused and I nearly didn't use a sol as I assumed this is best when you have nothing to hide. Even so, I opted for legal aid which has been super supportive
so far. Fast forward 8 months; and I have had to balance learning to drive, with my a level exams, alongside preparing to permanently move countries to study abroad whilst my parents retire.

My sol told me I have a very strong case and on top of this, told me that the OIC did not believe this case would go anywhere. Well, a couple weeks ago I was informed I had been charged with one count of rape. My friends have been very supportive and I managed to suppress the stress until after my exams which are now finished. Being given unconditional bail, I have now moved abroad but I will be flying back at the end of the month for the early magistrates appearance.

My brother has offered to pay for private aid and I am looking at getting Chris Saltrese as my barrister, as, by the sounds of it, he has a powerful track record. Even so, this s*** is incredibly stressful and I feel terrible to be placing such a strain on my family and friends, as this move should have been such an amazing thing but now I am experiencing the best and worst emotions all at the same time. I don't know, it's not something you can prepare for until it happens to you. And what terrible timing as well

Anyway, there is so much great advice on this forum, I guess I'm just offloading my situation at the moment and how strange it feels. I have faith in my defense however, and have managed to stay resilient so far.

The only potential issue I am looking at right now is that of the local media, I really do not want to be outed for something I haven't done, as I have a relatively large group of friends and acquaintances and I can only imagine that a few will hold the view that there is no smoke without fire. Even so, any advice regarding handling the media, or anything else you feel is relevant would be appreciated very much.

Sorry to hear your situation. Im actually in the same like you.
Keep your mind strong and work with your sol in every detail you can. Do not hesitate, now your future is there.
Btw, im in massive bail conditions, tagged and going to sign 3 days per week... With the same charges as you.
So, you are very lucky for the moment... And you can see how every case is different, almost when we have the same age and "similar history"

Good luck mate. Keep us informed.

[vvnn8]

JJ7 Chris Saltrese is a well known solicitor who has been specialising in false allegations for many years. If you or you family can afford to pay privately you would get a QC or top notch barrister included within the price. Can you let me know where the trial will be?

Also it might help if you can see the accuser's Facebook (and other social network) profiles as often there is helpful defence evidence there.

You can contact me via Chris Saltrese solicitors Facebook page.

Hi Rf. Just asking,

How usually private sol price is charged? It is normal you should pay for "preparation of the trial" + appearance in trial
and how appearance is collected? You pay for each day of the trial?

Thanks.

[Itsnotallbad]

Hi Rf. Just asking,

How usually private sol price is charged? It is normal you should pay for "preparation of the trial" + appearance in trial
and how appearance is collected? You pay for each day of the trial?

Thanks.

This is an example and could be more or less expensive depending on who you go with. (I'm getting these numbers from what i've spent)

A mid tier criminal defence solicitor (not inner city london firm) will charge these kind of fees (it could be more or it could be less)

For all work complete in the office or at court: £200/hour

For all travel too and from court and police station: £100/hour

For all telephone calls made: £200/hour

All emails and letters sent: £20

You will also have to pay for their train tickets,accomodation if they are travelling far like mine did. (If they are decent people they will stay at rhe cheapest rhey can,i.e premier inn etc)

Just a 5 day trial for a solicitor to be there will add like this (hypothetical 5 day trial and based on the working day starting at 9-4):

Travel: £100 x 2 hours of travel × 5 days = £1000
Work: £200 × 7 hours x 5 days = £7000
Misc (taxi and train tickets) = £50/£100 × 5 days = £250- £500

Total for trial: £8000/£10000

That is only a trial and the work will continue on and off for a year in their offices preparing papers etc. You will also have to pay for Police station visits if needed,expert witnesses if needed and also and meetings you have at their office.

If you'd like a scale of barrister charges then just ask.

Thanks

[Itsnotallbad]

But Chris could be completely different,but you get the idea.

[Rights Fighter]

Hi Rf. Just asking,

How usually private sol price is charged? It is normal you should pay for "preparation of the trial" + appearance in trial
and how appearance is collected? You pay for each day of the trial?

Thanks.

With Chris it would depend on where the trial is, and how long the trial goes on for. He is based in Southport in the north west, so if you are a long way from there, he would cost in travel and overnight expenses. He does not book himself into expensive hotels - neither does the QC or senior barrister that comes in with the cost. For instance, I attended a trial in Coventry a few years back, to support the client, and Chris and the QC stayed at the same cheap and cheerful hotel as I did


You would need to ring him to ask about costs. 01704 535 512. If you can't get through please do let me know.

[Rights Fighter]

This is an example and could be more or less expensive depending on who you go with. (I'm getting these numbers from what i've spent)

A mid tier criminal defence solicitor (not inner city london firm) will charge these kind of fees (it could be more or it could be less)

For all work complete in the office or at court: £200/hour

For all travel too and from court and police station: £100/hour

For all telephone calls made: £200/hour

All emails and letters sent: £20

You will also have to pay for their train tickets,accomodation if they are travelling far like mine did. (If they are decent people they will stay at rhe cheapest rhey can,i.e premier inn etc)

Just a 5 day trial for a solicitor to be there will add like this (hypothetical 5 day trial and based on the working day starting at 9-4):

Travel: £100 x 2 hours of travel × 5 days = £1000
Work: £200 × 7 hours x 5 days = £7000
Misc (taxi and train tickets) = £50/£100 × 5 days = £250- £500

Total for trial: £8000/£10000

That is only a trial and the work will continue on and off for a year in their offices preparing papers etc. You will also have to pay for Police station visits if needed,expert witnesses if needed and also and meetings you have at their office.

If you'd like a scale of barrister charges then just ask.

Thanks

To be honest, solicitors and barristers have their own charges. Some charge a lot more and some charge a lot less. I've known some solicitors who have charged £125 for one letter, for instance.

Anybody seeking to pay privately should really speak to the specific solicitor they are thinking of instructing.

[Itsnotallbad]

To be honest, solicitors and barristers have their own charges. Some charge a lot more and some charge a lot less. I've known some solicitors who have charged £125 for one letter, for instance.

Anybody seeking to pay privately should really speak to the specific solicitor they are thinking of instructing.

Very true, people always find more comfort with exact numbers which is near on impossible.