Plod prefer awareness course to prosecution

[simongt]

"ignorance of the law is not a defence".

And I found that in a spinoff legal action after my divorce.
So the implication here is that every Joe & Jane Citizen is expected to be fully compliant with every single facet of every law in this country.
If that's the case, why do we need solicitors - ?

 

[figbat]

And I found that in a spinoff legal action after my divorce.
So the implication here is that every Joe & Jane Citizen is expected to be fully compliant with every single facet of every law in this country.
If that's the case, why do we need solicitors - ?

No, we don’t need to be conversant with every law, but we must accept that if we inadvertently break a law, there are still consequences. Otherwise we can simply do as we wish and claim ignorance.

 

[Cycleops]

In fact it's nothing to do with law, it's just common sense and courtesy. If you accidentally knock a old lady or man in the street don't you at least stop and apologise?

 

[Brandane]

And I found that in a spinoff legal action after my divorce.
So the implication here is that every Joe & Jane Citizen is expected to be fully compliant with every single facet of every law in this country.
If that's the case, why do we need solicitors - ?

We need solicitors to convince gullible judges and juries that we didn't break the law of which we are accused, and were ignorant of in the first place!

 

[Gillstay]

In fact it's nothing to do with law, it's just common sense and courtesy. If you accidentally knock a old lady or man in the street don't you at least stop and apologise?

It would be to your advantage if there is any follow up.

 

[steveindenmark]

A million times NO to this. The Police are supposed to be impartial, that is one of the most important principles of any justice system. It is not the function of the Police to "keep the courts as empty as possible due to the backlog of cases". That is the job of the CPS (in England and Wales). If the CPS are struggling to cope, that is their problem. And if my memory serves me right, are you not another ex PC? 😳

Yes over 30 years ago. Its my opinion. I assume I am still entitled to it?

 

[classic33]

Yes over 30 years ago. Its my opinion. I assume I am still entitled to it?

Your opinion yes, on what English police forces should be/are doing, "No".

And they are seperate things, a persons opinion and what the police are doing.

 

[Brandane]

Yes over 30 years ago. Its my opinion. I assume I am still entitled to it?

Of course; in the same way as I am allowed to have an opinion of your opinion!

 

[steveindenmark]

In fact it's nothing to do with law, it's just common sense and courtesy. If you accidentally knock a old lady or man in the street don't you at least stop and apologise?

I think that depends on the reaction of the person you have just knocked off. The driver suggested that he was afraid of what was going to happen to him at the scene. That does not excuse him from reporting the accident to the police though.

 

[Drago]

The driver suggested that he was afraid of what was going to happen to him at the scene.

That is neither defence or mitigation, unless you're an athlete in the Met police area.

 

[Fastpedaller]

What could a victim do in these circumstances (driver not giving details)? Is it reasonable (if you are able) to grab the car keys and prevent them driving off, or is that illegal? Can you use reasonable force to retain them until police arrive?

 

[T4tomo]

What could a victim do in these circumstances (driver not giving details)? Is it reasonable (if you are able) to grab the car keys and prevent them driving off, or is that illegal? Can you use reasonable force to retain them until police arrive?

you could temporarily take care of the keys, being worried a 3rd party might take them, and then when giving them back to the driver accidently throw them over a hedge or down a drain hole grid?

Taking a photo of car reg plate and driver is prob enough for the police to sort it out afterwards though....

 

[Electric_Andy]

Sorry but this sort of thing just boils my blood. It stinks of writing off a charge because we can't be bothered, and it was only a cyclist that was hit.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What could a victim do in these circumstances (driver not giving details)? Is it reasonable (if you are able) to grab the car keys and prevent them driving off

You were concerned the driver had been drinking and was acting irrationally. You temporarily housekept the keys as you were worried for the safety of the driver, yourself and others.