(Untitled)

[spoox]

I've had some bizarre cases in Court recently. Yesterday, I was prosecuting a middle aged woman for shoplifting. She had no previous convictions. She went into Boots, walked around taking expensive mascaras and placed them in her bag. She was in the shop for over twenty five minutes, during which time she spoke to every member of staff then on duty

Comments

[emlett]

tee hee - clerks can be so rude - that was a blinding result though, i thought it was a strict liability offence and pretty mucha no hoper?

[spoox]

I used the fact that it was strict liability to highlight how unfair it was. I mentioned the purposes of sentencing (punishment, deterrent, reform, reparation and protection of the public) and then pointed out that none of these purposes are fulfilled when someone has committed an offence that is not blameworthy. Coupled with a nice swipe at the CPS for bring such a pointless case, it seemed to do the trick!

[emlett]

so basically the fact that there was no defence to the charge was what you used as a defence to the charge?
bloody hell - you cheeky silver tongued bastard.

[gaius_octavian]

She has apparently now been arrested for Arson.
If at first you don't succeed...

[gurlesque]

That first case is so sad/bleak, but definitely enterprising.

:(

[brokenbeast]

The absence of a lock icon would suggest you've not made this 'friends only'.

[spoox]

That's correct. I have been making some of my court stories public. Do you think this is a silly idea? All of the cases were heard in open court and therefore the details that I have given are technically publicly available, although obscure. It might be a better idea to make it friends only...

[brokenbeast]

Ah, didn't realise it was deliberate. Personally I was trying hard to keep two separate identities (even if you don't reveal too much personally, you can be held 'guilty by association' on a social networking site). There again I've weakened somewhat on this lately due to the nature of Facebook.

[spoox]

Facebook is a nightmare for that sort of thing! I'm not really sure that being on it is wise.

[toma_li]

haha thats funking hilarious!

gotta love them technicalities, best cross your fingers no one got killed in the fire though, cos technically it would be your fault for getting her off lolz!