![]() Make sure you’re aware of whether you will have a hearing before your trial and whether you are going to the magistrates’ court or Crown Court, and what the differences are between the two. Remember that the prosecution has to follow the burden and standard of proof-this means that the prosecution has the burden of proving you are guilty and they have to prove it to a high standard.īy developing an awareness of how the whole court procedure works you should feel more confident in your ability to cope with the process. ![]() Try and gain as much of an understanding as you can about the full court process- will you have a hearing before your trial? How many people will be in the courtroom and where do they all sit? Will there be a jury? How does the prosecution reach a decision and how long does the process take? Equally, if you want to appeal a sentence take action now.īy ignoring requests to attend court or failing to reply back to paperwork this could result in serious repercussions like a fine or facing arrest. If you have received paperwork instructing you to attend court, do not put off acting on it. Make sure you have thoroughly read and understand any correspondence you have received regarding your court appearance, and take the letter informing you of your court appearance with you as the court reception will ask to see it. Tip 2: Read, absorb and action all correspondence Some law firms, including our own, also provide legal clinics that offer free advice to members of the public, or your local Citizens Advice Bureau might also be able to give you some guidance.ĭo not expect the court staff or judge to give you an easier time if you are representing yourself you will still be expected to have the information needed to prove your case and to be able to present it. If you have chosen not to use a legal advisor due to the fees involved it may be worth seeing if you are eligible for legal aid, or trying to see a legal professional or at least once to get advice on how to prepare. It can also be helpful to get legal advice if you are facing a severe sentence such as imprisonment, as a legal professional will look at your case, listen to your side of the story and be able to present your case favourably. ![]() If you are intending to represent yourself at court and feel completely overwhelmed and unprepared at the prospect, seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Below we offer 11 top tips for appearing at court, to help you understand what to expect and how you can prepare yourself. Whether you’re a victim, witness or defendant, there is a lot to consider if you want to show yourself in the best light and hopefully get the outcome you want, from how you should present yourself to what to say and when to ask for help.
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