Is it possible to find out why someone has been summoned to attend court??

fad1211

My friend is in pieces. She came across a letter in his bedroom stating he has to appear in court at a date and time given (crown court), but there are no other details. It states failing to attend will be contempt of court.

Now, she has a very distant relationship with her son, but as a mother is very worried and concerned. He is 20, but still lives at home. She really wants to know what it is about because he wont tell her. Is there anyway of finding out. Would the court give a reason or is it data protection. I thought that this information is public, but I could be wrong. Can anybody advise, thanks

specialK

Yes you can, if it is that day you can check here: http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/onlineservices/xhibit/court_lists.htm

I can't remember exactly, but there is somewhere online that gives you old information if you have all the details e.g court, name, etc I will have a nosey now.

spidab

Can you find info for magistrates courts too or is it just crown?

mandi

Sorry to ask , but also is it possible to find out if someone has been given a custodial sentence please??


Thank you


Mandi

anguk

It could be that your friend's son has been called as a witness. I think if a witness fails to attend they can be held in contempt of court, I would have thought that if it was him who was on trial it would say that he would be arrested if he didn't attend.

Count_Dante

Even if he is there as the accused, it is probably just drunk and disorderly or peeing in public or some such nonsense.

specialK

Here is the link, sorry for delay, I could not remember it for the life of me!

http://www.courtserve.net/homepage.htm

I think this is the best place to try for any results.

angelfairy

re the summons to the Crown Court, it will most likely be that the son is a witness.

if he was the defendant he would have had to have been 'sent' from the Magistrates Court to the Crown Court. Depending on the type of offence, this can happen after one hearing at the Magistrates Court (indictable only offence) but if it is an either way offence there can be at least two hearings that would span at least 6 - 8 weeks, sometimes longer. If this instance the Defendant wouldn't receive a 'summons' in any event. it would be other court paperwork that would provide him with subsequent dates.

i imagine he is a witness and has expressed his willingness to attend Court and for that reason the Prosecution have applied to the Court to have a witness summons issued for the witness to attend court. if they do not do so they are in contempt of court and liable for arrest.

HTH

lauren_1

Could be a unpaid debt - I got summoned to a crown court when i refused to pay dd's nursery charges (she had a burst ear drum and a gash on her head that no one could explain so i took her out asap) they wanted £800 for the months notice.

Nicki

lauren_1 wrote: »

Could be a unpaid debt - I got summoned to a crown court when i refused to pay dd's nursery charges (she had a burst ear drum and a gash on her head that no one could explain so i took her out asap) they wanted £800 for the months notice.

That wouldn't have been to the Crown Court though, which only hears criminal cases. Would have been to County Court (probably even small claims court). They may all be in the same building in your area but they are different courts and would have different headed notepaper.

*Louise*

In that situation I would go along on the day and find out for myself then if all else failed.


It doesn't sound like he is being called as a witness, else why would he refuse to tell her anything about it?