Sacked my solicitor today,they changed their minds,and decided to object to my legal aid transfer.
I just flipped,reported them to the law society,then sent them a fax saying I did not require their representation.Serves them right,instead of Howell & Co I now refer to them as Avarice & Co:laugh:

Sent a fax to warwick crown,saying if they didn't transfer the legal aid bond I'd represent myself.Now considering I know very little about law,have a blood sugar level 10 x the average,and spend a large percentage of my time having suicidal tendancies don't whatever you do bet any money on my chances.

The legal field is not easy to get accustomed to,especially when you're sick,and have no idea how it works.Most accused have never been in this position,and it really is hard to make those decisions that are vital if you're to stand a chance of beating a rotten system.

You are so right IA - and 99% simply give up and go into an intellectual coma.

Even I thought "you don't hire a dog and bark yourself".

And though I protested when dates were changed and I wasn't given a chance to find alternative defence, I assumed my expensive lawyers were correct in teling me the Judge would cover this in summing up by telling the jury to acquit me.

He didn't. After 3 days consideration (the trial was only 5 full days) they wrongly convicted me for alleged crimes that took place in London when I was in America.

It's all about the Benjamins - how else would you explain a firm I had acting for me in a civil case advising me not to put in an application to strike out a vexatious retaliatory case against myself (after a District Judge had practically TOLD me too!), I represented myself had the case struck out.... and the silence was deafening!!! And this was against a rogue company & solitor they have fighting umpteen cases against!

I feel for you innocent accused.

The vast general public have no idea how intimidating the legal system is quite apart from the charges you face.

I really mean it when I say get some valium!. I've baby sat friends on big and small charges and always arrive with medications to calm the nerves.

But you must be happy with the solicitors representing you and generaly....criminal defence lawyers are the most knowledgable. Sounds like your last lot were being particulalry bloody minded. They more than anyone should know their client needs to trust their own legal representatives.

Good luck !..probably no consolation but thousands out there know what you are going through.

If there is no evidence against you other than uncorroborated allegation, then the first thing you should do is put to the judge that there is no case to answer, reminding him that a person should be innocent until proven guilty and that if the case proceeds without genuine evidence that a crime has been committed let alone that you are guilty, the court will be ruling that that principal of law no longer exists. They will be shifting the entire burden of proof onto the defence. The judge will be in an awkward position, and so will the entire legal system, because there will be a media presence and much interest in his answer.

If he weedles out of it, for example by saying that it's up to the jury to decide what is evidence, you can remind him that the jury is there to decide on the evidence not create a new definition of the word.

You stand, at present, as an innocent citizen of the United Kingdom who has the right to the presumption of innocence. The prosecution is required by law to provide genuine evidence which proves your guilt. In practice this rarely happens, but on paper it is still a requirement. If the judge orders that the case proceeds without evidence, then you are being denied a fair trial. This should also be pointed out, because many others will find themselves in your position.

The legal system has become sloppy and uncaring. It needs a severe kick up the backside.

It is all about MONEY MONEY MONEY. They object to the Legal Aid bond because they lose money - and that is the reason for the justice system. It plays fast and loose with peoples' lives and does not ( like the Police ) represent justice for those without hard cash.

Legal Aid only buys you a "body" and a barrister ( who is usually excellent - JK ? weird ) and to a certain extent I think you need to do your own research into your case.

Without representation you cant get a fair trial. Because you have sacked them they will treat you as if you have made yourself "intentionally" without representation.

At the moment you probably feel as if the whole experience is pushing you into a world you dont recognise and the Police rely on anyone innocent going to court about anything cracking under the pressure of the system ( Remember that BBC 1 series Criminal Justice - portrayed it in that )

Therefore I suggest you take a step back - if you can go on holiday for health reasons. Inform the courts in writing that you are between solicitors and representation and you ask them to adjourn the case for 3 or even 6 months in order for you to sort this out. Send it to these lawyers as well. Without you they cant have a meaningful trial as I will explain.

If it is just an allegation against you with no hard supporting evidence then no jury would convict without hearing both sides of the story. It remains playground stuff - like name calling. Therefore they need you to be involved.

The first thing in anyone's life is HEALTH - you must concentrate on that. Take a break. It may be a frightening situation but if you are feeling ill then you have to look after yourself first.

You know you are innocent so dont worry. I do believe that eventually if you dont let the system crush you or stitch you up - then you will be fine.

The whole justice system stinks - today the POLICE are washing their own grudges in public using the CPS by charging a BLACK senior policeman.....for the third time with an offence....yet the white officers who shot DE MENEZES and killed TOMLINSON are still at large and have not ever been charged despite it being on video etc. This whole justice system stinks of corruption in a way that the MPs expenses scandal is like a garden of sweet smelling roses in comparison.

Take a break and have a holiday and then come back and deal with it having had some time out.

Thanks BR,kind words,and probally after digestion I'll do as you say.

I did mention something similar to my old solicitor,not in such depth,but hinted at it.They of course seemed to think nothing would come of it.
I'm predicting by the many cases of finding guilt the word of accusers is counted as evidence.

Yes you are right - it does count as evidence but courts are used to the Police lying and stitching up people so you will find them sympathetic in most cases to someone who is clearly telling the truth. Many people get convicted because they are in such a state from the whole experience that they fold as a person - I was told this by a senior inspector in the Police who disagreed with the tactics employed by some police ( they are not all bad either )

Put your health first. It is as simple as that. But be polite and inform the courts and lawyers. They may well state that you could be arrested etc. but if you are genuinely not well and need some time then they are unlikely to want to be "bullying" you into court. It looks bad for them - it makes their case look weak before it has even begun.

You have the right to a fair trial. You have the right to representation and you have the right to only go through the process when those two things are in place.

Go on holiday and enjoy some time again. Though this might seem the biggest thing in your life right now - in the general scheme of things it is not. Families and friends and your own self are more important. In addition though you feel under attack you still have rights in this country - even if you are made to feel that you have not.

All the best with it and I hope you feel better soon.

I believe the only way the court will delay a case on health grounds is with confirmation from a doctor. If stress was suitable grounds then all cases would be delayed indefinately. An accused must attend when the court demands, and a person can be tried, and convicted, in their absence if they refuse to attend. This has happened before.

Actually I don't want it delayed,in fact the opposite would be better.

I think that courts actually prefer to have a proper trial and to have representation for the accused. They tend to adjourn if there is no representation in any case.

I have studied this and been in Magistrates Courts for instance for a number of days watching events. I have never seen a case go ahead when one of the two parties has not turned up. They get angry - especially if witnesses are called and can even issue an arrest warrant immediately if they so wish. But I have never seen someone go on trial who is not there. Can anyone suggest when this has happened ? The only instances I have heard of is a couple where people have absconded to the continent intentionally to avoid justice.

There are too many myths about courts - I do suggest you go along and sit in a local magistrates court and spend a day or two there to get a feel for what REALLY happens. I have also visited Snaresbrook - the High Courts - Family Courts - etc to do research and in one instance I took a group of people to Snaresbrook so that they could understand the court system better.

Courts actually welcome the public. It means more scrutiny because most cases are heard with NO ONE in the public or press galleries. Only "media" cases tend to get people watching them.

When I was at school our teachers who taught law and history made sure we all visited the Old Bailey at least once to sit in on cases and see justice in action.

Dont be afraid of JUSTICE - because it is there to protect the innocent and convict the guilty. BUT too many people think it happens by itself - when in fact you have to play your part as well. Stand up for your rights and "Fight" for your innocence - because you can bet your bottom dollar ! that the "Other side" are doing every last thing to WIN against you. It is a battle - a fight - not a war but if you think just being right is enough and just being innocent is enough you will get rolled over. You are dealing with a CPS who have MILLIONS of POUNDS at their disposal - whereas you have legal aid which is very limiting. So you are already like Lincoln City fighting Man Utd