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Do we need a Solicitor?

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KLK

Member since
October 2018

99 posts

Posted Thu February 14, 2019 2:45pmReport post

I know the answer but just want to check!

My husband has said he doesn't want to get a Solicitor. 1, We are struggling financially so wouldn't be able to cover the costs and 2, he admits full guilt so thinks it will be a waste of money. Is he being totally ridiculous?!

Maria

Member since
September 2018

286 posts

Posted Thu February 14, 2019 5:10pmReport post

I think you can possibly see a duty solicitor at court, might be worth finding out about that. You might qualify for legal aid or some form help depending on your circumstances. Its up to him but its well worth having a solicitor even if you plead guilty as they can explain what happened, mitigating circumstances etc and just give his side of story. I would advise him to have legal representation or at least get some advice.

Jaded

Member since
December 2018

202 posts

Posted Thu February 14, 2019 7:22pmReport post

I would strongly recommend having a solicitor even if pleading guilty. Your husband will be totally exposed (pardon the expression) and will have no protection from an overwhelming disparity in the power of the state compared to the individual.

It is massively important to have a good advocate there to a) make sure your husband is only convicted of the offences of which he is guilty and b) he receives the appropriate sentence with his solicitor/barrister protecting him from the state.

He may not think you can afford it but you can’t afford not to.

He may also be able to claim some legal aid too, at least get legal advice whatever you do.



Jaded.

Bethlou23

Member since
December 2018

383 posts

Posted Thu February 14, 2019 7:38pmReport post

Jaded offers some good advice. It’s scary that the balance is so unequal and while the offence is certainly wrong and I don’t condone child abuse. These men need support for their issues. Society punished them enough before it even gets to court.



it shocks me when you see the number of images some of the men have it seems really low yet it’s consequence is still being on the sex offenders register and loosing employment and their face. Especially if the men actually acknowledge that they truly were lost and need support.



it needs to be him who gets support. My ex partner doesn’t want legal support too. Think he is resigned to what will be will be but as jaded says the power the stare holds is so far greater than a single person and he likely would benefit from some one who would advocate for him.

but you can’t force them, ingetbwhat your saying it’s really tough.

KLK

Member since
October 2018

99 posts

Posted Fri February 15, 2019 11:00amReport post

Thank you Ladies.

I have had a chat with him and he will do whatever I want to happen so we will get a Solicitor. I have read him what you both said and he didn't look at it that way.

The cases here recently have ended up with a couple of years prison sentences for what I would say is less of an offence than him (from what I know so far that is!) - one guy got 5 years for having extreme pornographic images on his devices which I am sure they will have found on my husbands. Preparing for the worst case in my head but also wanting to be really naive and hope he gets a caution and the SOR =(