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Magistrate or Crown Court?

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Runawaygirl

Member since
March 2023

114 posts

My person has now been charged and pleaded guilty at magistrates. They have now redirected his case to Crown Court for sentencing.

Anyone who's been through this process, what are the pros and cons? All I can think is that the sentence is going to be the worst possible.

Any hints/tips for preparing for Crown? What experience of probation? Good or bad?

Obviously I'm hoping it won't be custodial or at worst, suspended, but there's no guarantees and now I'm getting really stressed about the future.

Posted Thu February 19, 2026 12:26pmReport post

N.S.M

Member since
February 2026

34 posts

I'm so sorry to hear this, just out of interest how long did it take for you to get to this point?

I hate living in the unknown of what our future holds especially as I have a little girl, I worry about not only myself but her as well as she's so young. It could potentially destroy our lives. I still can't believe I am living this still 5 months on just never expected this to happen.

Posted Thu February 19, 2026 8:03pmReport post

OneStepAtATime

Member since
October 2025

91 posts

My person went to magistrates for sentencing, for the panel to not sentence and instead refer to crown as the offending 'met the criteria'. I was devastated as assumed this meant prison time. It didn't. It meant that he could be given a longer suspended sentence than in magistrates. Probation have been very good, referred my person to various other services and resources, and have been very supportive. Community payback has also been positive. We prepared (as much as possible) for prison, but luckily this wasn't needed. Good luck

Posted Thu February 19, 2026 8:34pmReport post

N.S.M

Member since
February 2026

34 posts

Please can I ask did he get put on the SOR? Or recieve SHPO?

Posted Thu February 19, 2026 11:07pmReport post

Runawaygirl

Member since
March 2023

114 posts

@N.S.M - It's been a three year wait from knock to plea. On pleading guilty, he was required to sign the SOR. I think any other restrictions, plus length of time on SOR, will be decided at the Crown Court in a couple of months' time.

@OneStepAtATime - Good to hear that probation have been positive. What sort of Community Payback did your person receive?

Posted Fri February 20, 2026 4:41pmReport post

OneStepAtATime

Member since
October 2025

91 posts

Hi both,

My person got 10 years on SOR and SHPO.

Community payback was 300 hours (I think), some worked via online courses, and the rest doing tasks such as litter picking, painting fences, flytipping collecting.

Posted Fri February 20, 2026 10:04pmReport post

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

1075 posts

Hi, my son's case was referred to Crown court. On the advice of his solicitor he prepared for prison but received a 2 year suspended sentence, 300 hours community payback, a fine and 10 years SOR and SHPO.

Posted Fri February 20, 2026 11:09pmReport post

rainyday52

Member since
April 2023

661 posts

My son's was almost exactly the same as Ocean's after a 3 year wait, although 25 hours more community payback and no fine (no idea how he missed that!)

Posted Sat February 21, 2026 3:05pm
Edited Sun February 22, 2026 12:26pmReport post

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