Perhaps her mum would have said she should get some legal defense straight away. Ms. Harding hired an attorney out of Shrewsbury. She found a lawyer named Brendan Reedy who had experience representing clients at the Court of Appeal, the Crown Court, at magistrates courts and from the police station, and he had a history of winning.
He assured her nothing was going to happen to her.
Did She Really Do Something Wrong?
Saving the piedfort as a memento of her mum did not seem like a crime. The law that says she must report her finding did not even exist when she found it! Even if it did, how could she report it as a child?
On the other hand, she was advised to report the treasure, and kept it anyway. But was she really in the wrong?
A Jail Sentence?
Now that Ms. Harding had been arrested, she could be prosecuted, found guilty, and face up to three months in prison. She could also be faced with a fine, or both.
She felt helpless and afraid. What advice would her mum have given?
An Attorney at Law on Her Side
Ms. Harding was relieved to find some representation. Now the only question that remained was will they win the case? Or would she be forced to relinquish the piedfort?
She was thankful to have some assistance, but anxious about the outcome.
There Was No Precedent for This Type of Case
Reedy, attorney for the case, argued that Ms. Harding did not report the finding because of its sentimental value, but also because she was disorganized.
He also argued the point that since she was a minor when she found it, and there was no law in effect, it was impossible for her to follow a law. How could she follow a law that did not exist?