Hi

This is more about the process than police specifically but this seemed like the best fit category.

I'm only at the start of the process (arrested, bailed, RUI) however I had worked out that roughly the end to end process was something like the below.  This is for sexual offences if it makes any difference.

1. Arrested
2. Bailed
3. Release under investigation
4. Invited for interview
5. Possibly invited for second interview
6. Invitation to magistrates court to plead guilty or not guilty
7. (Either referred to crown court or remain in magistrates court at this point)
8. Pre sentence report
9. Sentencing
10. Prison/disposal
11. Register and any other orders
    

However I've received an invitation to the magistrates court with three charges listed on it. I haven't been invited to the police station for interview.  I've briefly spoken with my (legal aid) solicitor who said simply that I gave my statement (no comment as advised by the duty solicitor) when I was arrested.  I was also expecting a long list of charges based on the devices they took away however all three charges listed relate to why I was arrested and nothing more.

I'm a little confused about it all and am presuming that they haven't been through the devices yet which would mean additional charges down the line presumably?

I still haven't told anyone yet although was planning to tell my best friend over the summer - as was expecting it to take a bit longer than it has and with the virus/lockdown going on.  I mentioned this to my solicitor who said that I mustn't tell anyone or if I have to only someone I completely trust. (similar to what a lot of people on here said when I posted asking for advice on how to tell friends/family - which was essentially leave it to the last possible minute - but different to my therapist thoughts).

Not really sure I have any particular question other than I would be interested to hear others experiences of the process.

I also mentioned to my solicitor about paying for legal fees for 'better' representation to which the response was that it's the same representation and we use specialist barristers for these kinds of offences regardless. I have questioned for some more details around this when I've sent off the charge letter and bank statements (so they can apply for legal aid) although I'm not sure what response will come back.  I'm conflicted about whether or not I should pay for someone who specialises in these types of offences only or my current solicitor - who I believe specialises but works for a larger firm. I had resolved that I would pay for a specialist but given the short list of charges and the reassurances from my current solicitor I'm now a bit stuck on this decision again.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi
Your draft process is close I think.  I went through the process in Scotland, and like your potential solicitor said was only interviewed the once when I attended at the police station.  For some reason, even though I'd gone in voluntarily I was kept in overnight and sent to court the next morning, so I think that's your equivalent = the first appearance.  I can't recall the exact charges (sorry) but they basically gave notice that they had found some images and I was bailed pending the full audit of my laptop.  The main thing was they imposed restrictions on internet access and contact with under 16s.  They also got social work to contact my ex-wife to check my kids were OK etc (they were, my offence was image downloading), so if you have any close relatives with kids you need to be aware they will contact them if you let them know you may be seeing them - in my case my brother and his wife for example.
I've underlined the key parts of the first appearance as they're the ones I think you need to think about.  You will get further charges / confirmation of charges once they're completed the laptop examination and checked emails, whatsapp, FB, etc etc
Finally I was lucky (I think) in that I was seen last on the day, and so the court was empty with no press in the gallery.  I don't want to scaremonger but I suspect this was just luck, and therefore it may be that you won't so lucky, ie if the press are in court your circumstances could be in the local paper(s) by the time of the next edition.  I remember being very worried for 2 weeks until I was sure they had missed my appearance, ie I checked the first Fri after my appearance and then the one a week later also before I was sure
I was fortunate that I could afford an experienced non-judgemental solicitor and I started counselling asap too - I did it for the right reasons, ie get under the skin of what happened and why, but with hindsight I think the contrition it helped demonstrate aided my sentencing.  So, for what it's worth, I'd say do your research and go for a specialist solicitor, plus get counselling / do Lucy Faithful courses so as to maximise the chance of avoiding going to prison. I was dreading that.
Writing this has brought back some bad memories, hope these comments help

Hi,
My first guess would be that things are slightly different because of lockdown, some second interviews might be falling by the wayside with social distancing being a problem in police stations. During my second interview, there were four of us in a small room, for example and I spoke in my second interview, I'll never know if that was a good or bad thing to do. As you've already given a no comment and if you're aware of evidence the police might have found which was enough to charge, then the process might have been sped up and they've sent you your postal requisition. That's how I found out I'd been charged too. Between the knock on the door and my postal requisition was almost a year and a half, it was horrific and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I could be completely wrong. C19 is affecting all sorts of things.

The level of offending will depend on which court you will be sentenced in but oftentimes cases get sent to crown court. Ironically, the only sentencing of indecent images that I know of being dealt with in magistrates was a police officer. There may be more, it's just the only one that I've read, I know magistrates cases aren't in the press as much. Again, in normal times, you can expect the crown court date will be about a month after mags hearing assuming it's a guilty plea.

It depends how much faith you have in your solicitor, have a look on their website and see if they have a history or give off a strong impression that they deal with this often. As you've sent off your charge sheet you'd probably have to act quick to ask for it back if you did want to instruct somebody else. I wouldn't recommend mine but I know JASB recommends a useful legal person.

I imagine it's been tough not telling anyone, but hopefully, this part of your hellish journey will be over soon. Obviously, if any of your friends/people you see often have kids, you will have to tell them at some point after sentencing. As I found it was impossible to second guess how any specific person would react. Good luck.

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Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.

Thanks for your response and sorry it bought back bad memories.

I was also kept in overnight which I couldn't quite work out at the time although when I've looked back I had assumed or suspected it was to do with either suicide watch or trying to gain access to devices in the time they could keep me in custody. Suicide was never something that crossed my mind while I was in custody but afterwards I can see how people's problems become so overwhelming that they consider it or worse.
After being kept in overnight I was released on bail the following afternoon for 28 days. At the end of that I was Released Under Investigation ever since.  I'm guess it's just a matter of waiting and seeing what happens down the road in terms of additional charges etc.

I'm resigned that I'll be going to prison (maybe not - as my therapist says we don't know what the disposal will be) so will be preparing in that fashion (ending lease, job, storing possessions etc) as I don't have any family on this side of the world to take care of that sort of thing for me if that does come to pass.  Yes the press being there terrifies me and although I don't read any local papers or any tabloids it's still a worry (along with the follow on google effect). One that I know I just have to accept as whatever will be will be on the day.

I went straight to a therapist after being released to sort out the root behind my offending also not for any other reason - I had no idea at the time that it'd potentially help in sentencing. I do want to ask about the LFF course - it something that's been on my mind for a while. I couldn't really find any information about it on their website - is it just a rehash of the online modules?  I don't want to pay for something that I'm already going through and paying for with my therapist but if it's something different then I'd seriously consider the course also (although I suspect that I probably won't have time between now and the court appearance/sentencing so may not get to finish if I end up in prison).

Thanks for your response.

Yes it could quite likely be due to lockdown.  I had just assumed all charges would come together (not just those relating specifically to the reason I was arrested) which as they haven't starts the brain thinking through various scenarios (have they analysed the devices and found nothing or not enough to charge? does this mean it's worse later on if/when they do analyse the devices as I'll already have a criminal record for similar offences? if I don't go to prison the first time does that mean any later charges are considered standalone and potentially avoid prison again etc etc etc....don't get me wrong I'm fully assuming and preparing for prison this first time round!). None of which is helpful of course as there are no answers to the millions of questions.

Re the timeframe - I was expecting a long time based on various forums I have read and even longer due to lockdown however it's been about 7 and a half months at the moment so a bit shorter than I had expected.

The charges are either way offences but based on what the duty solicitor said and those I've spoken to since I'm assuming sentencing will be in crown court. On the solicitor/barrister bit I think I'll need to sleep on it for a bit - the website of my current solicitor suggests the firm handles a lot of cases like this but then again so do a lot of solicitors websites I've been on. I do think it's probably better going with someone who only deals in these types of offences but have nothing to benchmark this against.

Some friends do have kids however I mostly see them without the kids (and the kids are kids - not mid-teen up which was the age range in my offending....not that it matters). I think I'll have to tell at least my best friend before court (not sure if I should do this before pleading or before sentencing) as I will need help if I do go to prison sorting out lease etc (unless I try to do that from inside which I can imagine will be a nightmare).

It's tricky to attempt to answer those without knowing more about your case and why you're expecting more charges. Hopefully your solicitor might be able to steer you. 
What I do know is that once a charge is brought, that is it for the investigation. Example - Cat C image on a laptop and they've charged you. If they later find a Cat C on a USB stick from the same raid, they can't charge you again. I suppose if they later find a Cat B image on something they seized, then they can charge you but this should have been made along with the first charge. Does that help at all? Perhaps there was no evidence of other charges you might be expecting?

Again, depending on how much time you have, there's nothing stopping you from ringing around a few firms and see which fits the most "comfortably" into your budget.

Re: others' kids - Age does not matter, anyone under 18 is a child according to UK law and social services will contact all parents of under 18s that you will remain in close contact with. I say close contact with because, for example, not all of my family have been told, but I don't see those family members either.

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Fighting or Accepting - its difficult to know which is right and when.

Has your solicitor had the report of what they found ? If not then I think you will have more charges to come but i’m not a solicitor so could be wrong

I have to agree with the advice of Mr W, once the charges are brought then thats it for the investigation, the police prior to the CPS giving  authority to charge should have checked all devices.

If they have then you might find that you have been charged with specimen counts, in that so they don’t need to look at all the images they will charge you on a special of images taken.

Again your solicitor should be able to explain this.

If you have not read these then it will be worth while 

https://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/information-sex-offence-notification-requirements/

https://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/information-relationships-children-dealing-social-services/

In relation to LFF, it is called Inform+ the course they run, i did it back in 2007/2008

I know you have said you have looked at there online modules, but you might find it helpful speaking to them as well put 141 ahead of there number then your number will be withheld.

If you are convicted then part of sentence plan will be to either do the sex offender treatment programme. (I know it is not called that now) while in custody, or when out on licence  or both depending on what your offender manager decides

If you want advice about going into custody then i am happy to share my knowledge ( it might have been over 10yrs ago) but there is still stuff you might want to know, just let me know happy to advise.

Good luck and stay safe  

Not as yet and they've advised they won't be able to get it until around a week before the magistrates court hearing

That sounds a load of bull on the part of the police, if they have issued charges then under PACE they must disclose to the solicitor what they have found under discovery. For them to have got the CPS to authorise charges there has to have been a report of what has been found.

Your solicitor needs to create some fuss on this.