Court Reports

[nailit]

In court on Tuesday. Solicitor says that it will be adjourned for reports.
The last time I had reports done for the courts was over 4 yrs ago and consisted of a probation report and a report from the local alcohol services to assess if I was eligible for an Alcohol Treatment Requirement.
Given my recent circumstances, the courts will obviously ask for a probation report. Will they also ask for any kind of report from the psych unit where ive recently been resident? (they have said that they are prepared to give one if asked)
Thanks

[Buenchico]

There's nothing to stop you putting your own representations before the court. You (or your solicitor) can ask the shrinks for their report if you think it will help. (It might be best to get your solicitor to get it. Then, if he thinks it will be helpful, he can send it to the court. If he doesn't, he can simply lose it).

[nailit]

Thanks Chris. Was wondering though if the magistrates would be obliged to ask for a psych report given the circumstances around my arrest and my subsequent hospitalisation.

[Buenchico]

As I read the guidelines (p164 for Community Orders and p165 for custodial sentences), it would seem that the court would normally only call upon the probation service for a pre-sentence report. (However the probation service could then call for a psychiatric report to be added to their own input):
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Sept-2015-MCSG-pdf1.pdf

[nailit]

Thanks again Chris. Much appreciated.

[New Judge]

If a psychiatric report is called for be prepared for a long wait. In most areas they take at least two months to be provided.

[Buenchico]

^^^ I get the impression, from Nailit's posts, NJ, that he has got a report almost ready anyway. i.e. he wouldn't have to wait for an appointment to see a psychiatrist; the hospital where he's recently been a voluntary in-patient have all the information they need to hand anyway.

[nailit]

That's what I was thinking Chris, the hospital have said that they would provide a report if requested. They've already got my stay documented (meds, mood, sleep patterns etc) Id rather that than see some shrink who doesn't know me from Adam just giving his opinion interspersed with some psycho mumbo jumbo, most shrinks ive known have been bonkers.

[nailit]

I'll find out tomorrow either way.