Help with court recall

[Worriedsock]

I need some advice please because I am worried sick.

In February this year my daughter was given a 1 year suspended sentence for sending abusive messages and kicking in a door of her recent ex. She was given community service which she hasn't turned up to and has been called back to court. She has mental health issues and claims higher rate esa because her anxiety is so bad she struggles to leave her house. She is currently living in a hostel far from home after being evicted from her house share for not paying rent when her benefits got messed up. I know she has done wrong but her mental health is in a bad way and I can't see her surviving prison. How likely is it that ahe will be sent to prison? Is there anything I can do between now and then to help? She's 21.

Get her a good solicitor.

Will that be expensive? We have very little spare cash.

Ok, that makes it a lot harder. I wonder does anyone know if there are any charities that might be able to provide support, inc legal, for people with mental health issues?

Someone else might have some better ideas?

I think you should try to get as much back up from her GP as possible. Can the GP provide a letter for the court regarding her mental state either to avoid prison time or simply explain why she hasn’t been able to do the community service. CS was probably a very unsuitable punishment in the first place ☹️

I know nothing about this but my best guess at next steps would be to gather legitimate or official back up as to why she couldn’t do the court ordered service and why she is a very unsuitable candidate for a custodial sentence. Then hope you get a fair and decent judge.

I will ring around some solicitors in her area tomorrow and see if they can give me a ball park figure. Thanks.

She did have a solicitor last time. I think that may have been the duty solicitor from when she was arrested. She is going to go and see her Gp tomorrow for a note hopefully. I'm trying to get some more information from her but she's not online.

Is she engaging with mental health services? They would be the people to write and explain how prison would be detrimental to her recovery.

If she's failing to engage with them, as well as her probation officer, then prison is very likely.

Trying to get any help with mental health services has been almost impossible. She has been passed from pillar to post. She had a bad reaction to anti depressants so refuses to take any more. She is on a waiting list for cbt and counselling.

It is really difficult to get mental health support, hopefully the court will understand that. But without a plan for how she is going to change her behaviours - comply with probation, get a permanent residence, address her mental health difficulties - the court may see it that prison is the best place for her. It may even open some doors for her in getting the help she needs.

I hope you get some better news. It's a terrible situation to be in.

If she doesn't engage with them, and fails to appear in court a warrant will be issued for her arrest.

She better be in court. I'm going with her but will need to meet her there due to timings and public transport.

Sorry I have no advice, just wanted to send some positive vibes. You sound like a very caring mum and I hope it all works out okay. Do reach out to carers/support groups if you can.

When my dd failed to appear in court. She came to my house instead, 2 police officers came to arrest her.
Ended up with 6 police trying and failing to get her in the police van.

Thank you.

She hasn't managed to see the Dr today.