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Original poster

Court Worries

11 replies

innonimate · 09/07/2004 00:33

Sorry, i understand if nobody replies to this thread as i realise it is a very delicate subject. I was just wondering if anyone had experienced reporting an incident of sexual assault to the police. At the moment i feel a little worried and confused about my entire situation and could do with somebodies experience of what thet went through, how they felt, and the outcome. Just so i can feel a little more prepared and know the types of emotions i am going through are normal. I have this underlying fear deep inside that i am going to end up in serious trouble,
and a massive paranoia that i will end up in prison. Is this a usual reaction. Thanks in advance to anyone who posts.

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dibooth · 09/07/2004 01:14

Hiya,

Can I suggest you call smaritans who may be better placed to help support you?

Good luck,

Di

PS In victim/persectuor situations, the victim often feels the guilt, a human failing, so you're pretty normal!

twiglett · 09/07/2004 01:17

message withdrawn

jampot · 09/07/2004 01:18

I second dibooths advice to go to the Samaritans or Victim Support - it can never be the victim's fault regardless of the circumstances.

Original poster
innonimate · 09/07/2004 01:23

I am not upset or disturbed tbh perhaps i didn't make myself clear. I just wanted an insight into going to court etc. If this is a very traumatic experience. I have spoken to many people and feel extremely lucky to have support. I just wanted to know if i have to prepare myself for a difficult time. I recieved a letter of the court liason officer this morning asking me to declare my holidays so they know when i am availible. Seeing mine and his name at the top of the letter just affirmed the fact i have to wake up and start preparing.

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Original poster
innonimate · 09/07/2004 01:24

I also wanted to know if he is cleared of charges what happens to me, could i get punished?

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mummytosteven · 09/07/2004 02:24

Innonimate - sorry to hear you have been through such a difficult situation. I have never been through anything like this, but hope you don't mind me trying to offer you a little help (I have worked as a solicitor before DS, though not in criminal courts, only civil so know a little about the system). TBH it will be difficult and stressful - you will be questioned in minute detail by the perpetrator's barrister about what happened, and any possible inconsistencies in youraccount will be picked up on. Cross-Examination does not often bring up any startling revelations - it's very rarely like Perry Mason, but expect questions like - I put it to you that you were mistaken in saying x, etc... it's just part of the technique, to try and undermine your case- don't start to doubt yourself just coz you are asked loads of questions. It is the job of the Defence barrister to try and make you look mistaken/lying. If you have any free time you might find it useful to sit in on cases in the public gallery in the Crown Court to get an idea of the way barristers behave and sort of questions they ask.

It is highly unlikely that you would get into any trouble whatsoever if the perpetrator was cleared - the test for conviction is that the jury finds the perpetrator guilty beyond reasonable doubt - in a crime without witnesses it is not that hard to introduce a reasonable doubt - so you can see that just because the perpetrator is cleared doesn't mean that people think you are a liar. In any case even if the jury clears the perpetrator, the judge may know from issues as to admissibility of evidence, or information about the perpetrator's previous record (if any), or sometimes from the way that the case is run by the Defence that the perpetrator is highly likely to be guilty. You would only be punished if it could be shown that you had out and out lied delibarately - say for wasting police time - and even then it would not necessarily mean you were sent to prison. Hope that helps, and sorry if I sound too negative - I don't want to discourage you, but it is not going to be an easy experience for you, tho the police etc are much better at supporting victims than they used to be.

aloha · 09/07/2004 02:36

Don't worry about getting into trouble. If every woman whose rapist was cleared went to prison, they'd have to build hundreds of new ones

mummytosteven · 09/07/2004 03:14

There is a thread that looks at similar issues on other subjects called "reporting stuff to the police.". I have just bumped it so it is on active conversations at the moment. I'm afraid I'm not clever enough to link threads - maybe some more technically minded could 1) do it and 2) give me an idiot proof guide to how to do it!

Original poster
innonimate · 09/07/2004 03:33

Thanks M2S really helpful advice, just the kind of thing i needed to find out. I will look at the other thread. I can't really say much but the police have evidence against him so hopefully that will help. Your post brought tears to my eyes, it feels as something not connected to me and i have moved on. I obviously can't yet. I was very lucky though, nothing that bad happened. Would love to ask more legal questions but don't want to give too much away about the court case etc. Thanks again.

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Original poster
innonimate · 09/07/2004 03:34

So true Aloha, thanks, brings it into perspective really

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Original poster
innonimate · 10/07/2004 12:41

Anyone?

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