Representing himself in Crown Court
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My husband is going to represent himself in Crown Court on Thurs, despite being strongly encouraged to have a barrister represent him. He has the funds to pay for one, but won't. He could have applied for Legal Aid in time but didn't bother to sort out his application til last week. Now it's too late, as we are two days away from sentencing.
Have any of you had your person represent themself in Crown Court? How did it go? Any advice? I didn't even know you could represent yourself. I think it's insane to not have legal representation when you have the funds and could be facing a prison sentence.
Have any of you had your person represent themself in Crown Court? How did it go? Any advice? I didn't even know you could represent yourself. I think it's insane to not have legal representation when you have the funds and could be facing a prison sentence.
Now that there is little else to do, I can only wish him best of luck.
Several years ago, I represented myself for a completely different matter because my free of charge solicitor has left me a voicemail, a night before, and said there was no point representing me as I was going to lose. On the day, I went in, prepared but not like a lawyer ofcourse, and I won.
Best of luck to him, and your family.
Several years ago, I represented myself for a completely different matter because my free of charge solicitor has left me a voicemail, a night before, and said there was no point representing me as I was going to lose. On the day, I went in, prepared but not like a lawyer ofcourse, and I won.
Best of luck to him, and your family.
The judge will have already read through the case and will have a good idea of what he is going to decide before hand. I don't actually think my persons solicitor said anything that influenced the judges decision on the day. The only thing I would say is that he will need to be emotionally strong as the court experience is traumatic. I wish you both all the very best.
Sentencing is all about mitigation and demonstrating to the judge that he understands what he has done, is remorseful and has been taking steps to change himself.
It requires a lot of humility and being willing to accept responsibility for your actions, as well as providing evidence of previous good character, any mental health issues, or other things that may have contributed to the offending.
So if he approaches it in that way and he is good at selling himself, he should be ok. The judge will make allowances for the fact that he is not legally trained.
But if his approach is to try and argue that he did nothing wrong and that he does not deserve to be treated as a sex offender, then that would be a big mistake. Sentencing is not about arguing your guilt or innocence. That has already been decided.
It requires a lot of humility and being willing to accept responsibility for your actions, as well as providing evidence of previous good character, any mental health issues, or other things that may have contributed to the offending.
So if he approaches it in that way and he is good at selling himself, he should be ok. The judge will make allowances for the fact that he is not legally trained.
But if his approach is to try and argue that he did nothing wrong and that he does not deserve to be treated as a sex offender, then that would be a big mistake. Sentencing is not about arguing your guilt or innocence. That has already been decided.
I imagine his decision will be causing you additional stress during an already difficult time but I have to admire his determination. Standing up for ourselves & using our voice has to be applauded. The judges decision is out of anyone's control, even legal representation. I send you both luck and strength x
My husband represented himself and wrote a letter to the judge he got community order and sor he then breached for a silly thing went to court unrepresented and got a small suspended sentence. Hope this helps. A lot of it is down to the judge on the day. But also everyone is saying prison is overcrowded. Hope this helps
Thanks all of you for your comments and advice, it was all helpful. I appreciate you replying to me.