Does it help?
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Hi
just wondering if it actually helps if the person has family in court? Does the judge give harsher sentences to people who have no one in court for them?
if so why is that? Thanks X
just wondering if it actually helps if the person has family in court? Does the judge give harsher sentences to people who have no one in court for them?
if so why is that? Thanks X
It isn't always clear whether signs of support help with the sentencing. Myself and my partners family attended and his friends and myself got a character reference. The judge made no reference when passing the sentence if our support helped make their decision -was a suspended sentence.
Tho I read recently that a judge did say the signs of support helped with the decision. One thing to consider is the fact the media might be present, I didn't think of this when I went- thankfully no one was there. I was not happy that the lawyer said my full name in court- I wasn't asked and if I had known I think I would not have attended, tho not sure if they would have said my name anyway.
I would say if people are comfortable to go then there is no harm, tho can't be certain it will make a difference.
Tho I read recently that a judge did say the signs of support helped with the decision. One thing to consider is the fact the media might be present, I didn't think of this when I went- thankfully no one was there. I was not happy that the lawyer said my full name in court- I wasn't asked and if I had known I think I would not have attended, tho not sure if they would have said my name anyway.
I would say if people are comfortable to go then there is no harm, tho can't be certain it will make a difference.
Thank you for your reply X
Hello,
I've not had the court experience, but from what I understand, if a person has support and an address to stay at then it can help the judge to make a decision, though of course nobody knows for sure what decision will be made until it is done.
I think the thought process for this is that a person is much more likely to stay on track with rehabilitation and are less likely to reoffend if they have support, rather than someone who has no fixed abode and no support.
These are just bits of info I've picked up along the way.x
I've not had the court experience, but from what I understand, if a person has support and an address to stay at then it can help the judge to make a decision, though of course nobody knows for sure what decision will be made until it is done.
I think the thought process for this is that a person is much more likely to stay on track with rehabilitation and are less likely to reoffend if they have support, rather than someone who has no fixed abode and no support.
These are just bits of info I've picked up along the way.x
Oh and one further aspect to add- as I see you asked in a diff post if no one is there to show support would it look bad. - we were not pointed out in any way that family were in the gallery.
Anyone can attend a public gallery and it is not safe to say who is actually there in support of the offender. My partner's ex was in the gallery too for example - not for support but so she was aware of what the outcome was. So I would let the lawyer know what kind of support network there is, as the judge doesnt need to actually visually see it, if that mak sense.
I was lucky I had flexible work so could take the time off, but not everyone has that.
Anyone can attend a public gallery and it is not safe to say who is actually there in support of the offender. My partner's ex was in the gallery too for example - not for support but so she was aware of what the outcome was. So I would let the lawyer know what kind of support network there is, as the judge doesnt need to actually visually see it, if that mak sense.
I was lucky I had flexible work so could take the time off, but not everyone has that.