Court Case

Has anyone been in a criminal court case before? I have a court case coming up shortly with my step dad and I need some good advice. I am really scared and I'm dreading the day when it starts. He has been arrested of indecent assault, and he says that he's not guilty. He is also a very good liar, and will probably turn the whole case against me. I don't have much evidence except a few emails he sent me, like pornographic pictures. Will they prove anything? He can easily say that I sent it can't he? Also will the defence barristers bombard me with questions and also invade my personal life? What kind of things should I be ready for?

Thank you.

Reply 1

Triplet1

13

I've never been involved in a court case before but i have watched a few cases at bristrol crown court on a law trip.
Just make sure you tell the truth and then you have done nothing wrong!
An it will be scary esp the defence barrister asking you questions but just answer truthfully.
I hope it goes ok.

Reply 2

lilac!!

15

ooh okay, hummm well ya well he could say that you have sent the e-mails, like u said whats your lawers opinion on this case? are you certainly sure that there is no evidence that you can show the court?

Reply 3

Dragon24

17

Why has this gotten to court? Should have blocked him or put in junk folder unless he was making threats.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

It's not just those pictures. He's been sexually assaulting me for the last 6 years and threatened me.

Reply 5

lilac!!

15

well has he done that infort of anyone? if so, get them involved

Reply 6

Juno

20

You should have been assigned someone who can talk this through with you (but I forget the name). It would be better to talk to them than random people on an internet forum who don't know the whole story

Reply 7

Hana_87

16

Ok ask yourself the worst possible questions you can think of, and have the answers ready. For instance imagine they've accused you of sending the emails, think in your head how you would reply and handle that.

Ask yourself again, some accusing questions that are likely to come up, and answer them calmly and honestly.

Good luck.

Reply 8

Dragon24

17

Anonymous

It's not just those pictures. He's been sexually assaulting me for the last 6 years and threatened me.

Sorry to hear that, I thought it was just email harassment. I'm sure the person who will represent you will put your case across strong. There may be personal questions involved but if you want something do then you may have to answer them.

Reply 9

Anonymous #1

OP

Well can any of you give me ideas of accusing questions that they may ask?

Reply 10

lilac!!

15

well there is a chance of them going into your back family history, about you havinf a STEP dad? they may even bring up that you might have loved your real dad and this might be a chance of you talking it on him

Reply 11

zav

14

You will be cross examined my the defence which means they will just try and turn it around to try and make you look bad. Stay calm and don't let the defence lead you off from your story. Speak to your lawer as they or the CPS can give you some advise.

Reply 12

Anonymous #2

i've been to a few and so i may be able to help.

first of all do not lie thats the main thing. if you arn' sure about something then say you don't know or you can't be 100%. If you do not understand a question then ask them to repeat it for you.

I would really advise you NOT to think up answers before hand (as said above) just go in and recall the facts, if you think of the answers beforehand then theres a possibility that they may not match the question.

Also please try not to worry so much, I know its difficult but you need to remember that everyone in the room is human and that most will symoathise with you.

We can't tell you what the outcome of the case will be so don't take advice on here too seriously. I think there will be a chance that they'll go into your personal life but the judge will ensure that the questions are fair on you and if they go too far then they will be stopped.

If they ask you about the emails they may ask things such as (i'm only guessing here) how you felt, where you were when they were sent etc. all you need to do is be honest and try to stay calm.

Reply 13

Dragon24

17

They will probably ask when he start assaulting you and sending emails - so it may be upseting and stressful for you to recall. Not sure what else, I know they can be patronising.

Reply 14

Talya

16

Anonymous

Well can any of you give me ideas of accusing questions that they may ask?

They might try and accuse you of asking for it... I know that's horrid, but he might say it's only been going on recently and you wanted to do it.. I don't even know how you'd respond to that other than just to say no...

Good luck. I hope he's found guilty and you can put your mind at ease. Can you talk to your mum?

Reply 15

Anonymous #2

i really think this thread should be locked. theres too much bad advice.

Reply 16

Hana_87

16

We arn't giving her 'bad' advice, were trying to help

Reply 17

Pandy

10

My advice would be to talk to your lawyer. Ask him/her what they think as they have experience and we don't. Their advice will be infinately better than ours.

Reply 18

Anonymous #2

Lilly_May

We arn't giving her 'bad' advice, were trying to help

I know your only trying to help. but lawyers can see past answers that have been though up already, I've seen it happen before. Although eveyones only trying to be nice she needs professional advice on what to do. I didn't mean to be rude to you.

Reply 19

Anonymous #1

OP

Well I really appreciate everyone's advice on here. I don't have a lawyer the CPS is defending my side. I can't talk to my mum about it either it's really depressing for her.

Court Case

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