A friend was recently a victim of domestic violence and her attacker was arrested and has since been bailed, but she has not been given any further information, despite leaving various messages with the officer dealing with it. (not having a go at the police, realise they are busy, just anxious to get some info)
Can anyone tell me what is likely to happen next, will he have been charged already or will the CPS decide on charges if any?
How long is this likely to take. If he is charged how long before he is likely to go to court?
Any info would be appriciated as she is stuggling to find out what is happening
Thanks. Molly
2007-03-14 06:06:33 · 7 answers · asked by Molly 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Yes, she does know her attacker and his bail is conditional that he does not go near her and does not try to contact her.
Obviously she is aware that if he is charged it will then go to court and what happens then will depend on what they charge him with and if he pleads guilty or not.
I am more trying to find out what happen in the immediate future ie the next few days. He was bailed yesterday but she has no info on what charges if any, if CPS are deciding whether to press charges, if so when they are likely to decide, if he is charged, how long it will take to go to court etc.
Thanks
2007-03-14 06:22:55 · update #1
he will have to appear in court....if he pleads guilty...thats it for your friend...if he doesnt she will have to attend as a witness at a later date she will receive this in writing..this is done through the procurator fiscals office...
2007-03-14 06:10:13 · answer #1 · answered by amri 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Basically, if he has pleaded guilty in interview he would have been charged and bailed to attend court in a few days. If not he probably would have been bailed, as you say, with conditions pending CPS advice. Usually the CPS will agree to a charge especially if there are visible injuries due to the nature of the offence. Policy dictates the Officer In Case should be contacting your friend on whether there was a charge or bail. Tell her to keep trying and if no luck tell her to speak to an Inspector / Duty Officer at the station he was taken to. I wish your friend all the best.
2007-03-14 08:51:40 · answer #2 · answered by clanz 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your friend will have a Witness Care Officer assigned to her case once the file has been passed to that department by the CPS. The Witness Care Units are a joint department staffed by the CPS and your local Police. It is their job to keep witnesses and victims informed as to what is happening in a particular case as it progresses and to work with them if they are called to give live evidence. Unfortunately, they are still relatively new in concept and there have been teething troubles with them across the country. Your friend should hear something from her Witness Care Officer in the next few days but if she does not then I suggest she calls the central switchboard number for her local force, (you can find the number in the Telephone Book or else try calling 118 192), and ask for the Witness Care Unit. However, if the offender has not yet been charged then that is an indication that the case is still under investigation and the Police could be waiting to gain further statements, evidence or professional adice, etc, etc hence the fact that he has been bailed to re-appear at the nick.
2007-03-14 06:53:18 · answer #3 · answered by Golf Alpha Nine-seven 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
contact her domestic violence dept. at the local police station, if only a really small then go to the next largest but YES the UK does have this department or at the very least access to them......she will then be giving some one that can walk her thru the process and explain it all to them
FAILING that option then give victim support a call [was a free call but not sure now, been out the country for a short while] and they WILL have the right people for her to talk to.....and to be fair like you said it just sounds like a break down in communication, you never know the local cops might not even know he has been bailed yet .
Take care and PLEASE do not let your friend back down on this charge.........
2007-03-14 06:37:05 · answer #4 · answered by candy g 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to ask if this is obvious but does the victim KNOW the attacker? (Yes i know domestic and prolly does but that makes the difference)
2007-03-14 06:10:54 · answer #5 · answered by gigbagman 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
speak 2 a solicitor they will no more
2007-03-14 06:10:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
instead of callin the cops. try callin the courthouse!
2007-03-14 06:10:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋