Legitimate Causes For Not Attending Court In The Uk

August 31, 2023by Naomi Cramer


Most defendants going through an upcoming legal listening to expertise a sense of at the least apprehension if not outright dread. If that is you, you could really feel as if your life is on the road. Confronting a legal prosecution is an anxiety-provoking time, and also you’d be forgiven for wishing that you simply didn’t need to expertise the stress of the court. However what occurs if you don’t flip up? Lacking a legal listening to with no good motive will land you in sizzling water. If you’re conscious of the court listening to however select to not attend, you would face further legal costs leading to a wonderful or a custodial sentence. Failure to look may result in a warrant being put out to your arrest, and also you being remanded in custody. This text explains the foundations round attendance at court, and the implications if you don’t seem.

What is an efficient motive to not go to court to your court listening to?

Sickness is a reputable motive to not attend court. Nonetheless, judges could be sceptical of defendants who declare to be too unwell to attend court. With a purpose to be taken significantly, you could observe the right protocol if you’re sick in your court date. If you don’t achieve this, you threat a warrant being put out to your arrest and being taken into custody.

If you’re too sick to attend court, first, inform your legal defence solicitor as quickly as potential. Your solicitor will ask you to supply a sick word out of your physician to show that you’re unwell. The sick word should include the next info:

  • The date on which the medical practitioner examined you
  • The precise nature of your sickness
  • Why your sickness or ailment prevents you from attending court, e.g. in case your wrist is in plaster solid, you would nonetheless attend, however if in case you have a contagious sickness, the danger of infecting others would make it affordable to not attend
  • When you may be prone to be nicely sufficient to attend court

If you’re not sick sufficient to see a physician, the court is unlikely to just accept your absence. As well as, if the sick word pertains to your capability to work, somewhat than attend court, it received’t be taken as proof that you would not attend court. If you happen to undergo from long run psychological well being points reminiscent of despair and anxiousness, the court is unlikely to just accept this as a motive to not attend court, particularly if there is no such thing as a clear prognosis for while you could be ready to attend.

What occurs when you don’t seem at court?

If you’re a defendant who doesn’t seem at court in your court date, the proceedings could go forward in your absence. The court will contemplate whether or not it’s within the pursuits of justice to proceed in your absence. If the court decides to proceed, because of this you would be discovered responsible with out having the chance to make submissions to the court. It will virtually definitely work in opposition to you.

Even when you intend to plead responsible, it’s higher to be current at court so that you’ve got a chance to place ahead a plea in mitigation. A plea in mitigation is the place you inform the court components that needs to be taken under consideration when arriving at your sentence, reminiscent of: the truth that you’re the sole carer for dependent family; the truth that you will have proven regret; and the truth that you will have taken steps to handle your problematic behaviour, e.g. makes an attempt to cease utilizing drugs or alcohol.

If the court decides to not proceed in your absence, it may adjourn the court case and subject a warrant to your arrest. A warrant will solely be issued the place the offence is one for which you would obtain a custodial jail sentence. Which means a warrant of arrest is not going to be issued for abstract solely offences.

To ensure that a warrant to your arrest to be issued, the court must be happy that you simply knew of the listening to date however selected to not attend. Due to this fact, it should must be proved that both the court date was served upon you, otherwise you had been notified of the court date on the earlier listening to. As soon as the warrant has been issued, the police may come searching for you at your own home deal with, or you would be stopped on the street.

Along with the above, you would face prosecution for the offence of ‘failing to attend court.’ This can be a separate legal offence that may be punishable by a wonderful, a jail sentence, or each.

What if I’m late for court?

Due to the intense penalties when you miss your court listening to, it’s worthwhile ensuring that you’re on time on the day. Be certain that you arrive at court at the least half-hour early.

Often, your solicitor may have contacted you beforehand to make a plan for the place within the court constructing and what time to fulfill. Generally, all defendants can be given the identical time to attend, e.g. 9 am. Which means there could also be different instances on the roll earlier than yours, and you could have to attend for a while earlier than your case is heard. Be sure you have made applicable childcare preparations and brought sufficient break day work. You possibly can carry a pal or family member with you if you would like.

What if I didn’t obtain discover of my court date?

If you happen to had been unaware of the court date, and had been convicted in your absence, you’ll be able to apply to have the conviction put aside. It’s essential to do that inside 21 days of changing into conscious of your conviction.

What occurs if a witness doesn’t attend court?

Totally different guidelines apply if a witness (who might be the sufferer) doesn’t attend your court listening to. If a witness is informed to attend court, they’re legally obliged to attend. The witness should attend no matter whether or not they want to proceed with the case, and even when they really feel that they don’t have any related info to supply the court.

If the witness doesn’t attend, the court can both adjourn the case and make an software for a witness summons or proceed within the witness’ absence. A witness’ failure to attend court once they have been served with a witness summons is a legal offence. The witness might be arrested and charged with contempt of court. If this has occurred to you, you must search the recommendation of a legal defence solicitor.

What’s contempt of court?

Contempt of court is a legal offence that happens the place an individual unfairly influences or fails to cooperate with a court case. It may be outlined as interference with the administration of justice.

With a purpose to be convicted of this offence, the court should discover, past affordable doubt, that your motion or omission created an actual threat to the unfairness of the administration of justice, no matter whether or not you really interfered with the administration of justice. A witness who refuses to reply the court’s questions or doesn’t attend a court listening to that they had been conscious of, might be charged with contempt of court.

Particulars of how this offence needs to be handled are set out within the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Contempt of court is punishable by as much as 2 years in jail, a wonderful, or each. If the contempt of court offence is handled by the Magistrates’ Court, the utmost penalty is one month’s imprisonment, or a wonderful of as much as £2,500.

Can a sufferer drop costs in a legal case?

The sufferer doesn’t get to decide on whether or not a legal case proceeds. Though the prosecution will depend upon a sufferer’s testimony to help their case, it isn’t as much as the sufferer whether or not to proceed with the case.

The choice concerning whether or not to prosecute in the end lies with the prosecutor. The prosecutor should determine whether or not they’re prone to succeed on the stability of possibilities and whether or not it’s within the public curiosity to proceed with the case.

For much less severe crimes, the choice to discontinue a case can lie with the police. While it isn’t as much as the sufferer, the sufferer’s needs can be taken under consideration by the police/CPS once they determine whether or not to proceed with the case. If a sufferer signifies that they don’t want to give proof, they could turn out to be a ‘hostile’ witness, i.e. one who just isn’t useful to the prosecution. The prosecutor could really feel that this makes it much less probably that the case would succeed, or that it could not be within the public curiosity for the case to proceed.

The place to get additional assist?

If you’re going through a prosecution, just be sure you have a robust authorized workforce supporting you. At Stuart Miller Solicitors, we perceive the ins and outs of various courts. Our huge swathe of expertise within the Better Auckland space permits us to supply tailor-made recommendation based mostly on sensible information of the native courts and their judges. Contact us for a no obligation session immediately.

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by Naomi Cramer

Auckland Lawyer for FIRST TIME Offenders Seeking to Avoid a Conviction. Family Law Expert in Child Care Custody Disputes. If you are facing Court Naomi will make you feel comfortable every step of the way.  As a consummate professional your goals become hers, with customer service as our top priority. It has always been Naomi’s philosophy to approach whatever you do in life with bold enthusiasm and pure dedication. Complement this with her genuine passion for equal justice and rights for all and you have the formula for success. Naomi is a highly skilled Court lawyer having practised for more than 20 years. She serves the greater Auckland region and can travel to represent clients throughout NZ With extensive experience, an analytical eye for detail, and continuing legal education Naomi’s skill set will maximise your legal rights whilst offering a holistic approach that best fits your individual needs. This is further enhanced with her high level of support and understanding. Naomi will redefine what you expect from your legal professional, facilitating a seamless experience from start to finish.   Her approachable and adaptive demeanor serves her well when working with the diverse cultures that make up the Auckland region. Blend her open and honest approach to her transparent process and you can see why she routinely delivers the satisfying results her clients deserve. If you want to maximise your legal rights, we recommend you book an appointment with Naomi today so she can detail the steps for you to achieve your goals. 

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