tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post115910049528776583..comments2024-03-17T07:48:22.347+00:00Comments on Diary of a Criminal Solicitor: PhewGavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08500048413933214232noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1164230057703563062006-11-22T21:14:00.000+00:002006-11-22T21:14:00.000+00:00"I told my client this - I firmly believe that it ..."I told my client this - I firmly believe that it is important to tell them the truth, even when it is unpalatable - and that is why it was so surprising he rang to thank me."<BR/><BR/>You are to be commended. I had a "client" i had arrested on a warrant in the back of my police car. He told me a story of how he had been charged with an offence, and he told his defence lawyer he wanted to plead guilty as he "had done it." He stated his defence lawyer told him that if he enetered a plea of guilty he would not represent him, so the guy put in a plea of not guilty, and the result was he was found not guilty! At the end of the day society and the victim's are the only ones that will suffer.<BR/><BR/>Its nice to see a bit of honesty, and also things from the defences perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1160084792329014702006-10-05T22:46:00.000+01:002006-10-05T22:46:00.000+01:00Tony H,I always remember to get the bench to say t...Tony H,<BR/><BR/>I always remember to get the bench to say that costs from central funds are payable. That is part of the lure of private work, being able to say to the Client, "If you win you will receive back all reaosnable expenses incurred in defending your case".Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08500048413933214232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1159983529109094192006-10-04T18:38:00.000+01:002006-10-04T18:38:00.000+01:00Gavin,I trust that you were not so flushed with yo...Gavin,<BR/>I trust that you were not so flushed with your success that you failed to make an application for costs?<BR/>I can recall my first magistates' acquittal- the defendant, who was not legally aided, was acquitted of nicking the blue light from a police car. I was so super-chuffed that I forgot the application for costs. The one and only time i did this!<BR/>tAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1159214728491322512006-09-25T21:05:00.000+01:002006-09-25T21:05:00.000+01:00now we wouldn't want the truth to get on the way o...now we wouldn't want the truth to get on the way of a good trial now would we!<BR/><BR/>A solicitor that advises his client ot tell the truth you must be a rare breed indeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1159134502985471662006-09-24T22:48:00.000+01:002006-09-24T22:48:00.000+01:00"try a half time submission because that is the be..."try a half time submission because that is the best hope we have"<BR/><BR/>LOL!<BR/><BR/>May I suggest a variation?<BR/><BR/>"try a half time submission because that is the ONLY hope we have"pakmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729469766559214728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1159134241890011382006-09-24T22:44:00.000+01:002006-09-24T22:44:00.000+01:00pakman,My Client would have given evidence as this...pakman,<BR/><BR/>My Client would have given evidence as this was not your usual "try a half time submission because that is the best hope we have" kind of case.<BR/><BR/>The Prosecution witnesses could not agree on their evidence, and the more persuasive Prosecution witness appeared to be more of a Defence witness when you considered their evidence.Gavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08500048413933214232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1159133734815513272006-09-24T22:35:00.000+01:002006-09-24T22:35:00.000+01:00Would your punter have given evidence if the case ...Would your punter have given evidence if the case had got beyond half time? If he had would the result have been the same?pakmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729469766559214728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1159126527937758892006-09-24T20:35:00.000+01:002006-09-24T20:35:00.000+01:00I was absolutely amazed on Friday when a client I ...I was absolutely amazed on Friday when a client I had represented at the police station rang me upon his release to thank me. My advice had been that he ought to tell the truth as he was raising the defence of self-defence to an allegation. He did so and the police obtained CPS advice and declined to proceed.<BR/><BR/>I would love to have been able to claim that my advice was the difference between success and failure for the client but I was merely a crutch for my client who almost wanted someone to validate their version of events and give them some moral support.<BR/><BR/>I told my client this - I firmly believe that it is important to tell them the truth, even when it is unpalatable - and that is why it was so surprising he rang to thank me.<BR/><BR/>It just goes to show how how much pleasure simple good manners can bring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12900311.post-1159120012376569442006-09-24T18:46:00.000+01:002006-09-24T18:46:00.000+01:00It is a very nice feeling when you do your job and...It is a very nice feeling when you do your job and have a satisfied client, who is grateful for your efforts. Those odd days when that happens make the rest worthwhile.<BR/><BR/>On Friday I represented a client on an appeal to the Crown Court who had been convicted of assaulting a police officer. <BR/><BR/>His appeal was successful, quite rightly as the police officer's evidence appeared contrived. The judge said so, when allowing the appeal.<BR/><BR/>There is a real feeling of achievement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com