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Navigating the CPS and the legal system is a nightmare.

NAS78042

I've found myself in a position where i'm having to deal with the CPS.

Long story short, abusive ex is using my autistic traits and the general ignorance of the police on the condition to make me seem like a bad person to hide the fact she's abusive (narcissistically so).

I had a solicitor who has bled me dry financially for the last 4 months, whilst i've burnt myself out to pay for the ridiculous fees involved with going private. Now they've asked for an even more unachievable figure, which realistically i'd never get in a year, let alone the 5 months I have.

Why is there no help or support for 'vulnerable' adults in regards to this ? and if so why can't I find it ? the gov.uk site suggests the police are meant to help but I have had nothing.

I feel i've been left to the crows.Stuck in an environment that requires a great deal of social prowess to traverse, which when you struggle socially and have issues with processing stress/emotion is not the place to be.

Logically i'd be better off just killing myself as I have nothing to really live for and this world clearly isn't designed for me and i'm just about sick of struggling through it.

Any help would be fab.

  • NHS & local authorities implementation of the adult autistic strategy, autism act 2009, health & social care act 2015 care act 2014 should all be helpful in getting something like a MDT multidisciplinary meeting or MASH multi agency safeguarding hub where u may be able to highlight many things and alot of assumptions can be addressed when everyone suits at the same table very hard to speak to professionals when they dont wanna work too achieve a positive outcome.... rule 1 go on google and search benefits of a MDT one reason will be more reliable assessments many autistic people are let down with 

  • in reply to Peter

    I feel silly not finding this before hand.

    Thank you ever so much, I was too focused on finding someone with experience with Autism and t they'll probably have to get an expert in either way. 

  • in reply to NAS78042
    NAS78042 said:
    I have asked other firms and they all insist they're not taking legal aid, This is where im getting stuck I can't afford private and no one wants to do legal aid. So it looks like i'll just have to represent myself. Which wont go well i'll just crumble.

    There is an old saying. A man who represents himself has a fool for a client. You can use this website to find solicitors in your area who do accept legal aid (there is an option for it in the 'more search options' tab) solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

  • in reply to Peter

    Well apparently they were according to their website but they seem pretty clueless truth be told. 

    I have asked other firms and they all insist they're not taking legal aid, This is where im getting stuck I can't afford private and no one wants to do legal aid. So it looks like i'll just have to represent myself. Which wont go well i'll just crumble.

    Educating the police was my approach during the interview, that and explaining my ex was doing it out of spite. but they just weren't interested in either, in fact I think they felt I was making it all up.

    Duty solicitor was just as bad.

    Just feel I have been set up to fail and trying my best to navigate the neurotypical world it's better if I just wasn't here.

    Thanks for your responses.

  • in reply to NAS78042

    hmm that's obviously not good. But I still think unless your private guy is an autism specialist you might be as good with a public defender. What you have to do unfortunately is be prepared to educate him about how autism effects you and effected this situation. Still I am not a lawyer and this is well beyond what I can talk about with any level of self assuredness.

  • in reply to Peter

    Yes I've been charged, after an excruciating 5 hour interview. No breaks or anything, they even pulled a face when I asked for a glass of water, so glad I didn't ask for a few seconds whilst I was having a meltdown or panic attack.

    I just wanted to get it done and out of the way.

    It was mostly them not listening to what I was trying to tell them, it seemed they were only interested in their confirmation bias and no interest in what I was saying. I must of got them whilst their figures were low.

  • in reply to Peter

    basically have the cps charged you yet?

  • Are you really sure going private is going to do you that much good? A public defence barrister / solicitor is going to be adequate in regards to their knowledge of the law and legal procedure. Where they may be inadequate is their knowledge of autism but that could be equally true of the private advocate.

    The way I see it, If you've been formally changed with a crime you are entitled to free council. You should use it in my opinion. If you've not been charged yet things may not yet be so serious and while I'd definitely insist on having a duty solicitor present when you speak to the police it's quite posable you'll not be charged. The general rule dealing with the police, if in doubt say nothing, if you are then charged anything you didn't say can be brought out at court and your autism used as an excellent explanation of why it wasn't mentioned earlier. #notlegaladvice

  • Dear NAS78042,

    So sorry to hear that you struggling with your situation.  

    In addition to Deepthought's suggestion of searching our Autism Services Directory, there is information and advice on our website about the Criminal Justice System which includes links to other resources that might be useful for you:

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/criminal-justice/criminal-justice

    I hope that helps.

    Regards,

    Kerri-Mod