Please help calm. Facing prison sentence

[WienerDiva]

I'm due in court tomorrow for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It happened six months ago and I'm pleading guilty so no trial etc.

No previous and I'm a person "of good character". But my goodness I'm bloody petrified.

I probably won't sleep tonight and I'll I keep thinking about is my dd.

Were you lying/covering for a partner/relative?

Were you threatened or coerced to lie?

Are there any mitigating circumstances that they will take into consideration?

I don’t blame you for being terrified. I would be too. I think whether or not you’ll get sympathy will depend on why you did such a foolish thing.

This is horrible and I'm sorry that you are in this situation. I have no legal background so can't help just didn't want to ignore.

@FiremanKing I lied for someone I was with. We weren't together very long and he lied to me about a lot of things it transpires (his name and date of birth for a start).

I loaned him a vehicle thinking he had a license.

Turns out he didn't.

He got stopped and gave chase and made me report the vehicle as stolen.

He was quite menacing in his manner and scared me to be honest, plus he told me he would make sure it didn't come back on me etc.

He then got caught in it again after I reported it stolen.

He caused a lot of damage etc.

He was arrested shortly after.

I was arrested shortly after that.

You're doing the right thing now taking full responsibility. I don't know what exactly you did so I don't know what would be appropriate but separating a mum from her kid is not a good thing for anyone really so I hope that doesn't happen to you.
I don't suppose I would sleep much tonight either. Netflix?

I probably will get flamed and rightly so. I was foolish, naive and downright bloody stupid.

I have a dd(8) who has a mild disability. Me and her df separated 2.5 years ago

I admitted everything upon arrest and was fully co-operative on all levels.

I have had my pre sentence report that was favourable (for want of a better word).

I have good character references also.

I'm not sure if things have changed since i worked in mental health and supportinf people going througj the courts, so I apologise if my comments are out of date (I'm also in Scotland so could be different).

If a prison sentence is possible, then they should have a report done by social workers so you won't be sentence tomorrow. And you've been allowed to remain at liberty during this process so there is no reason why they'd revoke that and hold you. You should be going home tomorrow, if they still order reports then you will meet with a social worker and they will discuss the crime, your motivations and how you feel now. Be honest with them. Be sorry. If you're a person of good character up till now, and the crime you helped cover up wasn't abhorrent then you may very well get a community order and fine. They don't want to send everyone to prison.

If they don't do reports anymore then your solicitor will still speak for you during mitigation. Have they been good so far? Are you fully aware of what they're going to say? They will know the case inside and out and are in the beat position to advise on your chances.

Ah, you've had the report so you've already pleaded. Sorry, I thought you were entering your plea tomorrow!

A good report makes a difference. And you've got a child. And what you covered up isn't the worst thing in the world.

It could go badly for you, there is no point in pretending otherwise, but go in there with your head held high and be brave.

No advice but thinking of you.

If you’ve told us everything then I hope a Judge would be lenient on you.
Wishing you all the best x

I moved back in with the parents after it happened for support, have nearly qualified in a profession and am ready to start the business. My exh, ex fil, df's very good friend I've known since 4 years old (criminal lawyer that knows everyone in the chambers), and my parents have all done character references for me.

They are all positive and highlight what a good parent I am etc and how out of character it all is.

The court will also know this guy is/was a prolific criminal. I had no idea.

The only thing I am majorly worried about is that they will take into consideration the consequences of my lie. Unfortunately a police officer got hurt because of it. That won't be taken lightly.

I just want to say good luck for tomorrow, because I know you have already had a very horrific week.

Good luck for tomorrow.

Do the relevant people know this man was menacing towards you and that you were afraid of him when you lied for him?

@TheInvestigator my solicitor thinks I'm looking at 8 months suspended for 18months with unpaid work. But to take a bag just in case as the judge will enter the court room thinking he's putting me away for 6-9 months.

My dd(8) has just lost her paternal grandmother (funeral was on Monday), has a mobility condition so needs extra assistance in dressing and bathing etc. However, as the probation officer pointed out, my mum could do all that (not that she doesn't have enough to content with, her own dm has dementia and my db has Asperger's).

I just hope they hear all this.

Good luck in court tomorrow.

@Redshoeblueshoe thank you so much. It's been gruelling and the ex is just getting worse by the day.

His gf never wants to be in the same room as me and refuses to build bridges with me, she's very protective of him.

My dp said the same but knows for the sake of my dd, he gets along with ex or he can leave.

My dp's own ex has threatened to "kick my in" but I will always be pleasant to her for the sake of his ds (we actually get on alright now).

It's just all so unnecessary

Good luck tomorrow.

@LizzieSiddal it's really tricky because he never threatened as such. But really shouted at me and said if I didn't then he'd get me in trouble for allowing someone without a license to drive the vehicle.

He was just horrible.

Good luck for tomorrow. Though courts take this very seriously, I would hope your previous good character, the nature of your X's coercion/lies, the fact you have pleaded guilty, and the fact you are a mother into account. I hope you have been well-briefed?

Oh dear I hope she/he is ok now. Take comfort from knowing you have such a support network.
Good luck and I hope you are back here tomorrow.

Good luck. I think a jail sentence in these circumstances would surely be unfair. It sounds to me like you were frightened and coerced.

Thank you all so much for your kind words.

It certainly helps ease the nerves a bit.

I've been briefed really well I think. My solicitor is somewhat "unorthodox" but came very highly recommended.

Oh gosh, from all you've said I really hope you get a kind judge. Yes, it was foolish but he sounds controlling and manipulative. Hope they threw the book at him hard

Weiner tomorrow night you will be sitting at home, sighing a big sigh of relief, and wondering what to do next
Tomorrow night you will work out the answer to that