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Ogarra Cohen Cramer

Month: September 2018

Our stories

Private Probation Providers Fail Offenders and Society

A few years ago, the National Probation Service was split into two. The existing service maintained its supervision of high-risk offenders, mainly those serving lengthy sentences or with complex rehabilitation needs, the remaining offenders, by far the vast majority, are supervised by companies which bid to carry out rehabilitation work, with payment mechanisms often linked […]

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Is being sexist or misogynist a crime?

The answer is sometimes, but not always. Two years ago, Nottinghamshire Police decided to label misogyny and offences targeting women as hate crime or hate incidents. Two local universities recently undertook a report entitled “The Misogyny Hate Crime Evaluation” report which recommends rolling out the policy nationally. Misogyny hate crime is defined as “incidents against […]

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Do I have to give the police my phone PIN?

The simple answer is no, but there are potential consequences in certain circumstances.   When can they ask? It is arguable that the police could ask you whenever they wanted for your PIN, you can always say no. The critical issue is whether they can take further action if you say no.   When can […]

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Assaults on Emergency Workers

Is there a specific offence? Until now the only specific offence has been that of assaulting a police officer. This is a summary only offence which carries a maximum of 6 months imprisonment. There has always been an option to charge an offender with more serious offences, such as actual or grievous bodily harm, if […]

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The Cannibal Drug That Makes You Smell of Vinegar and Prawns

What are you talking about? Monkey dust is a synthetic drug, a type of new psychoactive substance. It is similar to other cathinone drugs such as MDPV, methylone and magic crystals. In the USA it is known as “Zombie Dust” or Cannibal Dust” due to one of the reported effects of the drug being users […]

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Child Cruelty – New Sentencing Guideline

The Sentencing Council has published a new guideline for how those guilty of child cruelty offences should be sentenced.  It covers three offences:    cruelty to a child;    causing or allowing a child to die or suffer serious physical harm; and    failing to protect a girl from the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM).   When […]

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What Power Do The Police Have To Test My Eyesight?

There has been much ado in the press about police forces undertaking random checks on motorists and revoking licences at the roadside. So, what are their powers?   Can the police stop me? Under section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 a police officer in uniform has the power to require a driver of […]

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