Second hearing in magistrates - chances of it going to crown?
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Husband now has his second hearing date - 18th July at magistrates court, hopefully for sentencing. BUT I have been blocking out the fact that sentencing isn't guaranteed to happen then - his case could be committed to the crown court for sentencing. I understand the types of factor which might trigger committal to the crown court.
Has anyone had that actually happen? How did you cope not knowing if sentencing was happening at that second hearing? How did it feel having to wait for another hearing?
Has anyone had that actually happen? How did you cope not knowing if sentencing was happening at that second hearing? How did it feel having to wait for another hearing?
Hi Lisa, I'm hoping you're pleased to now have date to work towards.
My son pleaded guilty to his communication charges (no iioc) at magistrates court and had to attend Crown court 4 weeks later for sentencing as one of the charges met the custody threshold. He had to sign the SOR within 3 days of the plea hearing.
The 4 weeks between plea hearing and sentencing were filled with anxiety. His case was on social media within hours of leaving court and in the local paper a week later.
We spent the 4 weeks preparing for worse case scenario whilst also making sure he got to spend as much time as possible with his children. We went to the beach, went out for walks, met his offender manager and focused on the practical issues of preparing for prison. At the same time we tried to remain calm and hopeful that one day life would get better.
Although the 4 week time frame between plea hearing and sentencing was hard, I think my son benefited from having a judge rather than a magistrate at his sentencing. The judge was very respectful throughout the sentencing, he praised him for admitting his offence during his arrest, he'd read the letters from Lucy Faithful and his therapist, he'd read the character references and pre sentencing report. He knew my son had lost his job and realised that being at home all day was going to be detrimental to his wellbeing, so along with the suspended sentence he gave my son the maximum amount of community work hours which forced him to leave the house and helped his psychological wellbeing in several ways. The judge also said he had to attend the Horizon programme, which again has been of great benefit to him.
We weren't surprised that my sons case was passed to crown court so the fact that you think there's a possibility your persons case can be dealt with by magistrates hopefully means it will be. Wishing you all the best.
My son pleaded guilty to his communication charges (no iioc) at magistrates court and had to attend Crown court 4 weeks later for sentencing as one of the charges met the custody threshold. He had to sign the SOR within 3 days of the plea hearing.
The 4 weeks between plea hearing and sentencing were filled with anxiety. His case was on social media within hours of leaving court and in the local paper a week later.
We spent the 4 weeks preparing for worse case scenario whilst also making sure he got to spend as much time as possible with his children. We went to the beach, went out for walks, met his offender manager and focused on the practical issues of preparing for prison. At the same time we tried to remain calm and hopeful that one day life would get better.
Although the 4 week time frame between plea hearing and sentencing was hard, I think my son benefited from having a judge rather than a magistrate at his sentencing. The judge was very respectful throughout the sentencing, he praised him for admitting his offence during his arrest, he'd read the letters from Lucy Faithful and his therapist, he'd read the character references and pre sentencing report. He knew my son had lost his job and realised that being at home all day was going to be detrimental to his wellbeing, so along with the suspended sentence he gave my son the maximum amount of community work hours which forced him to leave the house and helped his psychological wellbeing in several ways. The judge also said he had to attend the Horizon programme, which again has been of great benefit to him.
We weren't surprised that my sons case was passed to crown court so the fact that you think there's a possibility your persons case can be dealt with by magistrates hopefully means it will be. Wishing you all the best.
My OH went to magistrates for plea and got a date for magistrates about 8 weeks later for sentencing and it stayed at magistrates x
Thank you for responding.
We're making plans to try and maximise the next 2 weeks, without letting on to the kids that there's even a teeny tiny risk of custodial.
So we're going to the beach next weekend, he's going to be a bit less workaholic and cook some family meals for us over the next fortnight (very overdue but that's a whole thread on its own).
He needs fo write his 'just in case' resignation letter for me to send to his work if he gets custodial, and find a 'just in case' bag and clothes...
I'm generally feeling steadier this week, and now we're at T-14 days I'm trying to be present and not catastrophise / get ahead of myself too much. I think I am blocking some stuff out but there's a limit to how much I can process at once!
We're making plans to try and maximise the next 2 weeks, without letting on to the kids that there's even a teeny tiny risk of custodial.
So we're going to the beach next weekend, he's going to be a bit less workaholic and cook some family meals for us over the next fortnight (very overdue but that's a whole thread on its own).
He needs fo write his 'just in case' resignation letter for me to send to his work if he gets custodial, and find a 'just in case' bag and clothes...
I'm generally feeling steadier this week, and now we're at T-14 days I'm trying to be present and not catastrophise / get ahead of myself too much. I think I am blocking some stuff out but there's a limit to how much I can process at once!
Wishing you well over the next couple of weeks. I helped my person get the just in case bag prepared and all financial aspects sorted. It's amazing how we just can go into the organisational mode. I just feel calmer when I have to do practical things. We were like Ocean and it went to crown so there was a real possibility of custodial but thankfully it didn't come to that. Also I found the waiting for things to happen worse. Once you know what you're dealing with you can make plans on how to move forward. You sound like an amazing lady so I'm sure like the majority of us on here you'll be able to cope with anything. Upwards and onwards xx