Help

[Silver_sky]

I have been taken to court by DWP
I have pleadded not guilty to Fraud on three counts
Leading to a trial
I cannot get legal aid and cant afford a solicitor
I am going in alone and i dont know court protocal, have tryed to look it up and no joy
also with regards to witness's how do i go about having wittnesses for defence also if one of the witness's wont come forwards how can i get a court order
Thanks for any help

[sara3]

I'm sure the court will have a leaflet to cover this kind of scenario. why not speak to a free welfare advisory body like the CAB?

[sara3]

http://www.direct.gov...oingtocourt/DG_181624

[sara3]

http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/defendant/

[Silver_sky]

I did that before when it all kicked off
CAB told me that i would have to pay for there legal
Will try agian but
if have to go into court and rep myself i need info on witnesses and court protocal

[AlBags]

Well .. Isn't it correct .. once it goes to Crown Court .. you automatically get Legal Aid? So as soon as any sentence exceeds what a Mag Court can award, your duty solicitor at court will inform you usually. If you go to a Solicitor, most will give you some free advice, you MUST be honest with them from the start on what you could or could not be charged with.
Good luck.

[Silver_sky]

Thank you
yea i am being honest this is why im fighting it to the hilt
they are using sercumstantial evidence and also try to use stuff that is not any thing to do with the case they have changed there minds on what they want to procecute for and the dates
but what do i do about getting witnesses to question
and court protocal

[Silver_sky]

please remember
i am gonna go in there as my own solicitor so
witnesses and court protocal only please

[AlBags]

Well that is sometimes part bluff .. they get stuff to make you look bad .. but you can get stuff written down that makes you look good!
They consider what they think will get results as far as charges go ... so they can and do change charges along the way.
Seriously, a solicitor will help you for free .. with a chat. Ask for the best Legal Aid place in town, go there and ask for 10 minutes chat about the case in the lobby! Tell them what you're scared about. They may be active as a duty solicitor in the court .. so they may help you there for free, too!
Worst is, they can say no, and you can go somewhere else.
Be polite and calm with them, dress ok, smile, and take a few notes. : )
Most of all .. remember .. they've seen it all before! Your stuff won't be new.

[sara3]

the DWP will not "bluff" in a trial. they will present the evidence they have (which you will have copies of in advance under the Disclosure rules) and question you about it. you can decide (in advance) which witnesses you would like present for you to question regarding their evidence. in my experience, the clerk will most likely guide you through the procedures during the hearing, assuming the trial is in a magistrates' court. if you're going to crown court, I would have to advise you to get legal representation as it is far more formal.