Already have caution, now happened again due to my Illness - summons 1st NOV ...HELP

[MARTIN3030]

Hello so to clarify was any other civil loss recovery firm involved such as RLP ?

Can you pm the site team using the report icon with the name of the supermarket ?

[pleasehelp7]

Thank you. I really don't want to be seen as using it as an excuse, but it IS a reason. Both for the fact I was in the supermarket in the first place feeling desperate/on auto-pilot and the fact that medically I was quite unwell at the time of the incident, it's two fold really. I know if I was well I would not have ended up in such a situation, I wouldn't feel a need to get hold of all those food items in the first place and I also wouldn't be putting myself in danger physically to the point where my judgement is compromised.

[pleasehelp7]

Hello so to clarify was any other civil loss recovery firm involved such as RLP ?

Can you pm the site team using the report icon with the name of the supermarket ?

 

No, no civil loss recovery was involved. As I said the first time I knew of this was a telephone-call to my home address.

I will pm that in a second.

 

What I haven't mentioned is

(thought I did mention this in OP but see I did not)

that alongside the eating disorder I have

I am a type one diabetic and my blood sugars were also low at the time of the offence

(all linked with my eating disorder, it's all very complicated I guess)

 

which added to the depersonalisation as I'd descrive it.

 

I mentioned this to the officer and said the whole thing was a blur and that I knew what I was doing within that blur,

but I was not fully aware or in touch with reality, if that makes sense.

 

I was scared whern I got home and realised exactly what I'd taken again.

[pleasehelp7]

Anyone? Just need to know what to expect at court and how it will all play out as have no idea and am terrified .

[pleasehelp7]

Nobody??? Should I be pleading guilty or not guilty, even? Does 'guilty' basically mean you did it or does it imply specific intent that may be questionable in my case? I have no idea what to say and know I should have prepared morebut head has just been a complete mess lately .

[snugs1235]

Why dont you get a solicitor? It can't be too late to get one.

[pleasehelp7]

Why dont you get a solicitor? It can't be too late to get one.

 

Surely it is too late? I am due in court tomorrow"!

[Toque]

The supermarket should have a colleague there to remind you to scan things. If there is no colleague, how can you use such a volatile system?

'Volatile system' - that's a good way of describing it. These things are extremely unreliable. If I do use them, I make damned sure that I check the receipt before moving away.

[Toque]

Nobody??? Should I be pleading guilty or not guilty, even? Does 'guilty' basically mean you did it or does it imply specific intent that may be questionable in my case? I have no idea what to say and know I should have prepared morebut head has just been a complete mess lately .

The offence requires two elements. Actus Reus (AR - the action), and Mens Rea (MR - the guilty state of mind). You would plead absence of MR in that you were 'out of your mind' (diabetes, eating disorder).

 

You should be represented. Point out that you are not and that this lack of organisation is a direct result of your problems. Ask for an adjournment, and then get a solicitor and a medical report.

[Bandit127]

If you are at Magistrates Court tomorrow then I can let you know what to expect.

 

You MUST turn up at the allotted time (usually 10:00).

When you get there, ask for the Clerk to the Court. Usually a friendly person who has a clipboard and a list... They will need to tick you off on the list, to "book you in" so to speak. They should ask you if you want to speak to the duty solicitor. Say yes - or ask if there is one if they do not offer. The Clerk is normally friendly and you can ask them about procedures, what court you will be in, etc.

 

You will have about 5 minutes or so to describe your case to the duty solicitor. At this point you just need to know how to plead. Ask them if they will plead for you.

 

You may have to wait a long time for your case to come up. I like to sit at the back of the court during this time to get a feel for the proceedings and how the judges are. This helps me with my nerves and will help you understand what the procedures are. Ask the Clerk for directions to the public gallery if you are unsure about this.

 

You will be called when it is your turn, usually on a PA - or by the clerk yelling out your name.

You will be directed to the stand by the Clerk.

 

The judges will enter the court - you must stand when you are told to.

 

Someone will ask you to confirm that you are PleaseHelp of address this and DOB that. You agree - say "I am".

 

The prosecutor will read out the charge.

 

The judge will ask how you plead.

 

You say simply "guilty", "not guilty" etc.

 

I think the prosecution will have first say. They will read out a brief statement that you were in shop X on date Y and were found to have Z in your possession without having paid. Something like that.

 

You will be given the chance to have your say. You should speak to the judges here. I usually start by apologising for the offence (since I would normally have been pleading guilty) and offer some explanation in mitigation.

 

The judges then retire for a fag and a coffee. You have to wait in court IIRC.

They then come back and hand down the judgment. In my case, invariably points and a fine (I was a bad boy in my youth). The worst I got was a 42 day suspended sentence for non payment of a fine. It was handed down as "You are sentenced to prison for 42 days... (long pause for effect), suspended for XX". Let me just say that it had the desired effect... LOL.

 

I strongly recommend you find:

1. The duty solicitor for advise. Ask them them represent you (but I don't recall them doing that). The minimum you need is your plea.

2. The public gallery to see how it all works. You have every right to be there - just come and go quietly and sit and observe.

 

Good luck tomorrow. I hope it works out for you.

Edited November 4, 2012 by Bandit127

[Zonker]

Hope you get a good day in court

[Bandit127]

I would add to the post above that the procedures are formal, but the court is not so formal. The magistrates are generally friendly and OK to talk to. They might ask questions and you can answer normally. They are used to "normal" people if you know what I mean.

 

They probably see 10 or 20 people a day who are in a similar position to you (and me) and this makes the process a whole lot easier to deal with by yourself.

 

It is still a nervous time and is always nice to get it over with. As above, sitting in the public gallery helps me with this. Others don't do that. But you will get through it no doubt.

 

Please let us know how you get on.

[Hammy1962]

Well 'In court tomorrow' was last Friday...............

 

Do we think poor old pleasehelp7 is having porridge for breakfast.

 

I hope not.

 

H

[Zonker]

Yes it does seem a bit quiet.

[charliechaplin100]

Hi there .. I have got a quick question for the Original Poster.

 

The second involvement with police came after the first caution you recieved six month ago? How long before had you commited the Previous offence before you got your first caution?