proceeds of crime - non attendance at court

[sdnatlst]

hi all looking for some advice

i had a proceeds of crime case and the judge at crown court ordered around 50k of assets were sold to pay within 3 months

i manahed to pay half of the claim and the assets sold were significantly lower than the judge ordered them to be

i missed the 3month deadline for varying the order and my legal aid came to and end with the current solicitor which lead me to miss it

i had a court date from the fines court officer to attend the hearing for the 1 year default sentence potential warrant which i missed


i am asking here for advice waiting on a new solicitor to see if anyone has been in a similar boat and if
1. a warrant would be served for me now?
2. is the 1 year default sentence released at half term point on poca imprisonment cases for this amount?


plus any further advice that can help in the meantime awaiting legal aid


i am reluctant to to to the police station to ask if a warrant has been issued before having an legal rep prior in case of another court date being given once arrested

many thanks!

[echat11]

Hi SDNATLST

Welcome to LB

This site doesn't deal with Criminal cases, in saying that, islandgirl might be able to advise.

What you need to do is contact a solicitor who deals in Criminal matters, get some free pro bono
advice, see if they can help 'mitigate' your circumstances, try and get things back on track.

[islandgirl]

Proceeds of crime is a special area and hearings are held in a special court - I have only ever sat on one so cannot help much. However I do sit in normal fines court and have issued warrants for non payment of fines so it may be a possiblity that one was issued at the hearing you missed. Get a solicitor as Echat says - asap. Surely your previous solicitor will help given that he or she knows you qualified for legal aid in the past.