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When to get a solicitor - advice needed

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lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

24 posts

Posted Mon September 16, 2024 10:22amReport post

5 weeks since our 'knock' - still in shock and trying to process

My person was interviewed under caution with duty solicitor present, for a sexually oriented Snapchat convo with an underage girl. He admitted this but says he didn't realise she was underage.
Police have taken all devices, I assume to check for IIOC. He has said time and again that there are no pics - he's not into that. I have chosen to support him.

5 days after the knock he made an attempt on his life, which thankfully failed. I realise none of this looks good. He needs to attend a voluntary interview (which has been cancelled twice now) because he had a knife on him when the police found him - the one he tried to take his life with. When this does happen a duty solicitor will be present.

That is a brief overview of my last 5 weeks - you can imagine the anxiety - the questions I have - the thoughts I am having...

But at the moment my question is, when should we consider involving a solicitor? He is bailed until end of November.

thanks in anticipaiton

LosingIt

Member since
September 2024

34 posts

Posted Mon September 16, 2024 2:52pmReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Wed September 25, 2024 4:00pm

lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

24 posts

Posted Mon September 16, 2024 3:59pmReport post

Thank you that's really helpful.

In this case there is irrefutable evidence and he has admitted it in interview, although insisting he didn't know the age of the person, so it would appear that pre charge representation would not really be necessary.

Looks like we will have to wait for the charge, which I understand could be quite some time away.

LosingIt

Member since
September 2024

34 posts

Posted Mon September 16, 2024 10:06pmReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Wed September 25, 2024 4:00pm

lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

24 posts

Posted Thu September 19, 2024 4:05pmReport post

Unfortunately the age was disclosed during the conversation but he says he didn't see it.

I do believe that he didn't know - he has been under so much pressure with work and health recently but I didn't realise how bad it had got.

I now know he had been talking to random women online and he always asked their ages and told them his.

I guess we will just have to be patient and await the outcome of the investigation.

Eye of storm

Member since
May 2024

3 posts

Posted Mon September 23, 2024 8:24pmReport post

I think whatever the potential evidence is it's imperative (if affordable) that you instruct the best solicitor you can. My OH had his first interview with a duty solicitor and gave a no comment interview. There was no contact after that from the DS and I knew they had a poor reputation from having dealt with them in a previous job. My OH didn't know this and would have continued to stick with them if I hadn't warned him. After the first interview we then had pre- charge representation from a renowned criminal defence lawyer who specialises in internet offending. He has been excellent, communicates well, asks after my OH's mental health every time they meet and gave us a list of things he should pursue whilst pre-charge in order to give him the opportunity to start counselling/rehabilitation as soon as possible - which we hope will make a difference to the outcome. This situation is hell enough without feeling like you don't have the best legal representation. My OH solicitors worked out a payment plan so he's spread the cost over a period of months. Good luck with it and my thoughts are with you - and indeed everyone on the forum xx

lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

24 posts

Posted Tue September 24, 2024 2:46pmReport post

Thankyou x

As my husband admitted the offence in his initial interview as the evidence was there to see (even though he was unaware he was committing an offence at the time) we have decided that a pre charge solicitor would be a waste of finances.

I will, however be approaching solicitors once we know the charges, which will likely be some months away.