Sentencing day? What to expect*updated
Notifications OFF
My oh has not kept me informed but witness service has informed me of sentencing tomorrow. It's not yet showing a rough time on court serve (it didn't show his plea on court serve either).
So I've no idea what time it actually is. General listings say 10am/1pm so currently planning on going for about 9.30/9.45am to the court and hoping it hasn't been cancelled!
What are peoples experience of going to sentencing? Do they often run on time? Are they a quick/detailed process. Who is actually in attendance? I've no idea what I'm walking into.
Ex has pleaded guilty ,though I'm not sure what the actual final charges are/numbers are.
It's crept up and I'm going in blind! Another sleepless night!
So I've no idea what time it actually is. General listings say 10am/1pm so currently planning on going for about 9.30/9.45am to the court and hoping it hasn't been cancelled!
What are peoples experience of going to sentencing? Do they often run on time? Are they a quick/detailed process. Who is actually in attendance? I've no idea what I'm walking into.
Ex has pleaded guilty ,though I'm not sure what the actual final charges are/numbers are.
It's crept up and I'm going in blind! Another sleepless night!
Will follow this for replies as we have sentencing on Thursday and also dont know how it will go!
Hopefully all goes as well as it can for you x
Hopefully all goes as well as it can for you x
It all depends on the running order. The first case will maybe get going around 10:30 and if you are up first then you go in then. But if you are second or third on the list, then it will all depend how long the cases before you are taking. If they run over, your case will be delayed too.
They usually stop for lunch around 12:30 and restart at 1pm. Every case should be concluded by 4pm at the latest. But be prepared for adjournments, if witnesses do not show up for example, then the running could change, or you could be moved to a different court.
They usually stop for lunch around 12:30 and restart at 1pm. Every case should be concluded by 4pm at the latest. But be prepared for adjournments, if witnesses do not show up for example, then the running could change, or you could be moved to a different court.
I volunteer at my local Law Courts, both crown and magistrates, so this is my experience personally.
People are all asked to arrive by 10, occasionally by 2 if specifically told to come in the afternoon, so often have to wait for hours as there are often long gaps where the powers that be quibble over points of law.
Many people arrive at the same time so although one case will go first there is no guarantee who that will be. If a defendant is on remand they will take precedence over others due to the extra cost involved with prison staff etc. I would suggest you bring something to do to distract you from the long wait, like a magazine etc, but nothing sharp so no knitting etc. Anything taken off you at security will need to be collected as you leave which delays that if you want to make a quick getaway, thinking of things like umbrellas or perfume. If you have water you will be asked to have a swig to show it is water!
At my courts lunch is between 1 and 2. Also, everyone is really pleasant and respectful of everyone there and will be helpful if you ask for directions etc. There is a big noticebard in the reception area with lists of who is appearing in which court room. People either sit in reception or find their court room and wait outside there. Don't worry that you might miss being called as there will be a public address system used by the ushers etc when someone is needed, whether a defendant or a solicitor etc. When your person is called in, the usher will show you where you can sit if you want to go into the court.
Hope this helps a bit - of course it will be a scary and unsettling day but everyone is so intent on doing their job plus whatever goes on is commonplace for them so although you might feel like there is a big arrow over your heads with personal info, honestly nobody will look twice at you.
Do send me a private message if you have any other questions, and I expect people who have been in your shoes will also reply here with other info and advice. We are waiting for a plea hearing ourselves so my info is obviously from a different viewpoint at the moment. Good luck!
People are all asked to arrive by 10, occasionally by 2 if specifically told to come in the afternoon, so often have to wait for hours as there are often long gaps where the powers that be quibble over points of law.
Many people arrive at the same time so although one case will go first there is no guarantee who that will be. If a defendant is on remand they will take precedence over others due to the extra cost involved with prison staff etc. I would suggest you bring something to do to distract you from the long wait, like a magazine etc, but nothing sharp so no knitting etc. Anything taken off you at security will need to be collected as you leave which delays that if you want to make a quick getaway, thinking of things like umbrellas or perfume. If you have water you will be asked to have a swig to show it is water!
At my courts lunch is between 1 and 2. Also, everyone is really pleasant and respectful of everyone there and will be helpful if you ask for directions etc. There is a big noticebard in the reception area with lists of who is appearing in which court room. People either sit in reception or find their court room and wait outside there. Don't worry that you might miss being called as there will be a public address system used by the ushers etc when someone is needed, whether a defendant or a solicitor etc. When your person is called in, the usher will show you where you can sit if you want to go into the court.
Hope this helps a bit - of course it will be a scary and unsettling day but everyone is so intent on doing their job plus whatever goes on is commonplace for them so although you might feel like there is a big arrow over your heads with personal info, honestly nobody will look twice at you.
Do send me a private message if you have any other questions, and I expect people who have been in your shoes will also reply here with other info and advice. We are waiting for a plea hearing ourselves so my info is obviously from a different viewpoint at the moment. Good luck!
Update of experience of sentencing!
I tried court serve on the morning and it was never listed. Tried contacting the court as soon as it opened at 9am and was passed around several times before it cutting off so couldn't confirm sentencing by phone.
So off I went to court not know if it was actually been heard etc, first had bag checked and through metal detector then directed to the listings by a staff member, it said 10am and court number. I spoke to the 'usher' of that court who was so lovely. She explained they had several listed for 10am and she would come out and call the name. We were a few down the list but actually only waited over half an hour. The usher kindly came to me and said ex was next if I wanted to head into the room ahead of official calling.
Unfortunately the waiting area was quite open and I did see the ex, who sat quite close to me but managed to avoid speaking to them. As I wasn't giving witness statement I couldn't use the vulnerable witness waiting room.
Into court! It was scary at first seeing the 3 magistrates at top, prosecutor, ex lawyer as well as several other official looking people who were busy reading the information before bringing in the ex. No official press seated so fingers crossed on that one!
Ex was then brought in and asked to confirm details. The prosecutor outlined the case, but didn't mention they were child images. No details of ages etc. They read out a statement then the ex's lawyer did the same.
Ex had pleaded guilty so they next outlined the sentence they were imposing. Then confirmed all understood and done.
The kind usher pulled me aside and asked if I understood the sentencing, explained a bit more. I asked to speak to prosecutor as wanted clarity on exact number of images charged (huge difference in numbers found during the investigation and actual setence). They asked me to wait and observed another case. Then prosecutor came out and answered my questions which was helpful.
Over at last
I tried court serve on the morning and it was never listed. Tried contacting the court as soon as it opened at 9am and was passed around several times before it cutting off so couldn't confirm sentencing by phone.
So off I went to court not know if it was actually been heard etc, first had bag checked and through metal detector then directed to the listings by a staff member, it said 10am and court number. I spoke to the 'usher' of that court who was so lovely. She explained they had several listed for 10am and she would come out and call the name. We were a few down the list but actually only waited over half an hour. The usher kindly came to me and said ex was next if I wanted to head into the room ahead of official calling.
Unfortunately the waiting area was quite open and I did see the ex, who sat quite close to me but managed to avoid speaking to them. As I wasn't giving witness statement I couldn't use the vulnerable witness waiting room.
Into court! It was scary at first seeing the 3 magistrates at top, prosecutor, ex lawyer as well as several other official looking people who were busy reading the information before bringing in the ex. No official press seated so fingers crossed on that one!
Ex was then brought in and asked to confirm details. The prosecutor outlined the case, but didn't mention they were child images. No details of ages etc. They read out a statement then the ex's lawyer did the same.
Ex had pleaded guilty so they next outlined the sentence they were imposing. Then confirmed all understood and done.
The kind usher pulled me aside and asked if I understood the sentencing, explained a bit more. I asked to speak to prosecutor as wanted clarity on exact number of images charged (huge difference in numbers found during the investigation and actual setence). They asked me to wait and observed another case. Then prosecutor came out and answered my questions which was helpful.
Over at last