Affray charge

[cjcool1]

Just wonder if anyone could help my dad got beaten up by 5 men on christmas day and on boxxing day night me and 5 friends went to the house and tryed to get them out and they stayed in there back garden and things got out of hand me and my friends throw plant pots at them 2 hit and 2 men hav cuts on there headalso there window was smashed, it is going to magistrates court on the 15th I was just wondering does anyone no what sentance we will be looking at im 17 and my friends are 18 its a first time offenc for all of us can anwone help ??

[New Judge]

Your question is headed “Affray”, but you have not said whether you have been charged with affray or not. Just because the incident involved a number of people it does not necessarily constitute an affray. This is a specific Public Order offence covered by Section 3 of the Public Order Act. It is a serious offence and carries a maximum of three years custody. It is also unlikely that the CPS (who has to authorise the charge) would have done so in such a short space of time since the incident, especially at the Christmas period.

There are a number of other offences you could have been charged with. If you are charged with affray all the circumstances of the incident will be considered, but this extract from Magistrates’ sentencing guidelines may help:

“Fight involving a weapon/throwing objects, or conduct causing risk of serious injury” – Starting point is 18 weeks custody.

At age 17 you would normally be dealt with in the Youth Court (where the potential sentences for offences such as this are less severe) though you may appear in the adult court if you are charged jointly with the others (those over 18) for offences arising from the same incident.

[kinell]

Two years hard english lessons would be helpful.

[cjcool1]

Sorry yes im being charged with affray and i am in adult court cause the people are over 18. i just need rough summary of what i may be looking at ?