Rolf Harris - Assault Charges.

[electric*mayhem*band]

Rolf Harris appeared at London's Southark Crown Court  yesterday (Tues), to answer assault charges.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2621242/Rolf-Harris-84-arrives-crown-court-supported-wife-fa...

Freddie Starr meanwhile, has been cleared of all charges due to lack of evidence.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/474302/Freddie-Starr-cleared-over-sex-abuse-claims

[cherry*135]

Yes, men in the dock wear suits to court., get a haircut, don't look scruffy. Would that be a major factor which would be considered on reaching a guilty or not verdict for a murder charge? I doubt it.

As you say everyone knows they have been advised to wear a suit, a d to look tidy, in so doing so, that won't have much bearing on the outcome for a seriious charge.

[azureline**]

and...... cases are decided on evidence aren't they?

[cherry*135]

Polks wrote: he is appearing to look frail too.

Just thought you would hold the same assumption about his wife. He doesn't appear to be trying to look frail to me, considering his age.

[polksaladallie]

---

@azureline** wrote:

How long ago was that? It does not appear to be the case now, in Australia anyway.

---

No, it is happening this very day, more than it has ever has before.  The courts are stadiums where ruthless fights/arguments are enacted, with the truth often ignored.  Keep watching television, you will see scrubbed up young criminals regularly.  Or, talk to a defense lawyer and be prepared to be surprised at the tricks that are employed.

[cherry*135]

Yes, on evidence. What you wore to court isn't going to be a deciding factor.

People in the dock are encouraged to look clean & tidy.. Thats not going to get them off a serious charge.

[polksaladallie]

---

@azureline** wrote:

and...... cases are decided on evidence aren't they?

---

[cherry*135]

" you will see scrubbed up young criminals regularly"

So old criminals must be unscrubbed, going by your theory.

[polksaladallie]

---

@am*3 wrote:
Yes, on evidence. What you wore to court isn't going to be a deciding factor.

---

I didn't say a deciding factor, but what I was told to wear was a factor in the amount I was allotted.  I was also told to exaggerate my needs.  It is all a game, where the only winners are the lawyers.

[azureline**]

I was a juror quite recently, we had quite specific rules to follow, attire was not mentioned, only actual, real evidence.

Not what someone looked like, not who we believed was telling the truth.

[cherry*135]

People chose to hire a lawyer. If they can't sort out their issues out of court ( like child support or other family court issues, divorce settlement disputes)..thats the way it is. They are providing the opportunity for lawyers to make big bucks.