by Megan Harrison
Published 1994
Kogan Page
Paperback
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Blackstone's Police Manual - Evidence and Procedure: 2002 Ed
by Glenn Hutton, David Johnston
Published1999
Blackstone Press
Paperback
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You will be asked to attend Court. Like for anything else important in life, prepare. Whether you are going to plead guilty or not guilty, get legal advice!!!
Dependent on your financial position many Solicitors will give you some initial free legal advice. But even if you are not eligible, legal advice in this situation is worth its weight in gold.
If you are eligible for free services, your chosen Solicitor will advise you if your case is suitable for Legal Aid. This is a benefit to assist defendants who are unable to finance their own legal representation. How ever there are some coveates, the most basic of which are that if you were found guilty your liberty could be at risk (the sentence is possible imprisonment) or that the case has some novel feature.
If all of the above fail, and you are still not able to secure legal advice and you turn up to the court on your own there is still one last resource. The Duty Solicitor. This is a Solicitor based at the court to help out unrepresented defendants. But be aware, he/ she is a very busy person under no obligation to represent you. The advise/ representation given is controlled by the time he/ she has available. And often whether the Duty Solicitor is on duty at all.
If they are on duty, make friends quick!