Senario that involved my 15 y/o son: Abridged accounts....
Son & 3 friends walking home 1 night and 1 of his mates said hey look and picked up (stole) a solar light from a garden. Chased and apprehended by owner. Police came.......all 4 back to police station.......
My son interviewed (by now, 2:AM with me present) and the police said if you admit guilt, you will be let off with an official caution. Me in my ignorance told my son to admit guilt and all will be over.
Little did I know that there is a BIG difference between an official caution and a warning. An official caution is where you have to be councilled by a councillor and a member of everyday public to get you to realize what you did
was wrong. Your name and details are on record as a juvenile offender. This was never explained to me. A warning is a foot up the bum.
After seeking legal advise, they said because he was not aware that his mate was going to take the light, he cannot bare any responsibility.
I went back to the police station and they said too bad....he knows right from wrong. I explained that he cant know wrong if it is not premeditated. That comments response was a shrug.
I rang the councillor and told her that my son will not be attending the "hearing" on the grounds that the police used unfair tactics in getting my son to admit guilt. I quoted her a couple of sections from the "YOUNG OFFENDERS ACT" and she then agreed and backed down.
Three days later it was overturned without any caution OR warning. I also told her that under that Act, ALL logged information had to be destroyed as if the incident never happened to which she agreed.
The thing that P!SSED me off the most is when I went back to the police station conveying my rights, it was shrugged off. (AND) the 24 hours it took me to read and understand the relevant sections of the Young Offenders Act.
I just thought I would share this with you guys. To be FULLY AWARE of your rights is not being a smart ars3.
Cheers
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