There I was, suited and booted, pressed clean and tidy - the eight large bound box files and big plastic bag of exhibits in the boot of the car, yes it was a court day.A long running investigation of mine based on a habitual prolific burglar was coming to the end, he had been found arrested and charged with over 8 domestic burglaries and I the officer in charge of the case now at crown court.
Forensic, witness ,CCTV and ID evidence all tied up and in tow for what I understood was going to be a full blown trial, So far he had pleaded not guilty at the previous hearings etc, I estimated I had spent over 22 full work days (10+) hour days on this single person while conducting my other investigations and had been the reason for my lack of sleep and lack of updates on the site.
however the light was oncoming and this time it was not that of an oncoming train.
Court !
After struggling getting the papers and exhibit to the police room, I ventured of to find the cps prosecutor.
Then the world went dark.
. Where are the papers officer...
. I have mine in the police room ...
.. no where is my copy...
.. whut > ...
.. I haven’t read the case yet ... can you tell me in five minutes what’s it all about....
I felt like screaming... this was not funny.
Then my lucky angel came to the rescue.. At the door of the court he changed his plea to guilty.
(He had seen me struggle into court with all the gear and had recognised me!)
Oh thank god for that... no doubt the cps will claim it as a success.
3 comments:
I deal with the same thing in American courts. The lawyers always seem to lose the case files so we finally stopped giving them originals of anything.
Good to know things are the same on the other side of the pond.
Having been to court to watch various cases the one main thing that shocked me was how the CPS were never ever prepared, they vaguely knew what the case was about and to be honest didnt really care
It is the reflection of a system that is tied to quantity of service rather then quality. Just as the police, NHS and many other public services are now being held to.... The end is near.
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