Wed 13-May-09 01:17 PM by shawn
My client is being prosecuted by the LA for alleged benefit fraud (s. 111A).
She is very distressed and has MH problems. I've been encouraging the client most strongly to seek legal representation but what if she doesn't - so far she has not been very good at helping herself nor in helping me to assist her. As far as I'm aware, a defendant has the right to an 'assisstant' (AKA 'McKenzie Friend' although it seems this term has fallen out of favour), but I'd be grateful if someone could confirm this as I would consider going with her.
I'm totally livid about this case as the cause of the whole problem was the local LA's deliberate failure to act on a reported change of circs as they had been given wrong information by the DWP - ie. they chose to ignore my client's reporting of the CoC rather than seeking clarification. They are now prosecuting on a non-reported CoC, related to the first one, which would not even have come about if the LA had done thier job properly!
If my client doesn't go to court she will doubtless be found guilty in her absence, and if she does, it is highly likely that she will fall completely to pieces and might even become suicidal. She was not able to be IUC'ed as she was so distressed.
I'm extremely bitter, angry and resentful and I'm running out of options to help my client. I'm even considering resigning as I've had several similar cases the last few weeks and the feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, unfairness and injustice are quite overwhelming.
What can I do to help my client?
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