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These are the more serious offences relating to drugs that can lead to lengthy custodial sentences. What drugs are illegal to supply? It is an offence to supply a controlled drug. This includes the ones that immediately spring to mind such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamine. It also includes what are called Class B […]
Who is Ben Stokes? He is the England cricketer who was charged with affray and acquitted by a jury. But the video showed him hitting someone? It did, his defence was that he was acting in self-defence, you can hit someone and still be not guilty of an offence in certain circumstances. Why […]
If I’m acquitted will the alleged offence show on a DBS check? An ordinary DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check reveals convictions and cautions. An enhanced check, required for many jobs, may reveal information held by the police such as intelligence, arrests, prosecutions and acquittals. Surely an acquittal shouldn’t be on the check? This […]
In recent years legislation has been enacted to ensure that crimes demonstrating a hostility towards certain groups of people are treated more seriously than before. If an offence is said to be racially aggravated, then you should expect a heftier sentence. What does it mean? An offence is racially aggravated if, at the time […]
If you have provided a statement for the prosecution or for the defence you may be called to court to give evidence at the defendant’s trial. Is there help available for me? The Witness Service can provide assistance for any witness who has to attend court. This support can be both practical and emotional. […]
This article refers to adults, the law for youths is different. Do I have a right to bail? The starting point is that you have a “right” to be granted bail. This right can only be taken away in certain circumstances. These circumstances being that the court has substantial grounds to believe that if […]
If you are suspected of driving with excess alcohol in your body, you may be asked to provide a breath sample at the roadside. If that sample is positive, you are likely to be arrested and take to the police station. Why do I have to do it again at the police station? Once […]
Essentially, the crime is made out if you intentionally or recklessly damage property. Most commonly it is damage to cars and windows, very often as an act of revenge. The damage does not need to be permanent. There have been cases where graffiti, water-soluble paints on a pavement and squashing a policeman’s helmet have all […]
Agent provocateur is French for “inciting agent”, an entrapment situation where a person is enticed, incited or encouraged into committing an offence that he would not have otherwise committed. How does it relate to criminal law? The police frequently use undercover police officers in relation to drugs offences. An officer becomes familiar with local […]