do i pay?

[boostug]

I received an �80 on the spot fine last week whilst out drinking (not proud) the paperwork was ticked issued in the street although I was taken into the station arrested but not interviewed or cautioned, do I pay up or appeal?

[Ethel]

If you wish to contest it, then you will have to go to court for the case to be tried on the original offence, risking a criminal conviction if the PND is upheld.

If the fine is unpaid within 21 days, the amount increases by 50 percent and is registered at the magistrates' court as a fine.

I'd pay up.

[Law Man1856]

Boostug,

The taken to station bit would be for documentation ie, Photo fingerprints and DNA.

If you feel you can win the case at court then contest the ticket. Remember you will be up against sober police officers accounts not only the arresting officer but any other officers at the scene and the custody sgt .

All actions in custody are documented and usually CCTV is in operation. The police do not usually arrest unless they have no other option.

Pay up and no conviction or criminal record will be recorded.

If you don't pay and lose at court the ramifications for further employment could be damaging. You never know want you might want to do in the future. Social Work, Police, Security Handling money etc

GOOD LUCK either way

[Scotman84]

I'm a little tired of folks on AB (usually newbies) who are trying to get out of things - Look boostug - you got the ticket, you say you are not proud, so there must be evidence, just pay the damned thing and get on with your life !

[##Wardy##]

I will bet my house that sometime you were cautioned. PACE dictates that the police have to as soon as practicable. That means, it will not necessiarily been given at the time by the arresting officer.

The custody sergeant HAS to give it aswell and when you accepted the ticket, you would have been given a slightly different caution but on the same gist.

The reason you were not interviewed is because Police officers (not doctors, not witnesses and not you) are deemed "expert witnesses" on regards of you drunkenness. So what is the point of an interview. It really is their word (testimony) against your proven innocents at being sober. The only defence if you decide to go to court will be

1) You were under medication (which will need full medical testimony)

2) You can prove your drink was spiked (A Mickey Finn).

Best advice, pay the ticket. And take it as a very stern warning. And seriously, I would write to the officers involved and say.............................

"I now realise that you could have taken me to court for what I did and i thank you for using your discretion and issuing me with an FPN" blah blah blah.