His police record...Hrmm.

[Krystina and Andy 0]

Hi,

Been reading up on the police records and certificates. Sadly, I did not realize that I could have ordered this a month ago, and I received our packet from the London embassy in the mail today. I have a question about his arrest record.

When he was much younger (but old enough to know better), he was arrested twice for being drunk in public. Once he was arrested because his mates were stealing flower pots from people's front gardens, he was cautioned and let go the same night, and the second was a bit trickier.

He was drunk, of course, and he threw a rock at some hecklers behind him and his friends. Well, being drunk, his aim was not at its best, and the rock hit and broke a store window. He had to appear in Magistrate's court, where he was cautioned because it was his first offence, and he paid a fine for the court costs and for the repair of the window. He's not sure if this is going to be on his record, but of course, we will just roll with the assumption that it is.

What do we answer in terms of have you ever been convicted, arrested or charged with any crime? He technically wasn't charged for anything, but he was arrested. I know it must seem self-explanatory, but I'm just trying to be sure.

It says exactly:

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?

Selling drugs and being arrested for breaking a window falls under the same category!

Any help is much appreciated...thanks x

[William33 110]

Hi,

Been reading up on the police records and certificates. Sadly, I did not realize that I could have ordered this a month ago, and I received our packet from the London embassy in the mail today. I have a question about his arrest record.

When he was much younger (but old enough to know better), he was arrested twice for being drunk in public. Once he was arrested because his mates were stealing flower pots from people's front gardens, he was cautioned and let go the same night, and the second was a bit trickier.

He was drunk, of course, and he threw a rock at some hecklers behind him and his friends. Well, being drunk, his aim was not at its best, and the rock hit and broke a store window. He had to appear in Magistrate's court, where he was cautioned because it was his first offence, and he paid a fine for the court costs and for the repair of the window. He's not sure if this is going to be on his record, but of course, we will just roll with the assumption that it is.

What do we answer in terms of have you ever been convicted, arrested or charged with any crime? He technically wasn't charged for anything, but he was arrested. I know it must seem self-explanatory, but I'm just trying to be sure.

It says exactly:

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?

Selling drugs and being arrested for breaking a window falls under the same category!

Any help is much appreciated...thanks x

It sounds like a conviction to me. Your best bet is to pull a report and verify.

[Quinn 2]

Hi,

Been reading up on the police records and certificates. Sadly, I did not realize that I could have ordered this a month ago, and I received our packet from the London embassy in the mail today. I have a question about his arrest record.

When he was much younger (but old enough to know better), he was arrested twice for being drunk in public. Once he was arrested because his mates were stealing flower pots from people's front gardens, he was cautioned and let go the same night, and the second was a bit trickier.

He was drunk, of course, and he threw a rock at some hecklers behind him and his friends. Well, being drunk, his aim was not at its best, and the rock hit and broke a store window. He had to appear in Magistrate's court, where he was cautioned because it was his first offence, and he paid a fine for the court costs and for the repair of the window. He's not sure if this is going to be on his record, but of course, we will just roll with the assumption that it is.

What do we answer in terms of have you ever been convicted, arrested or charged with any crime? He technically wasn't charged for anything, but he was arrested. I know it must seem self-explanatory, but I'm just trying to be sure.

It says exactly:

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?

Selling drugs and being arrested for breaking a window falls under the same category!

Any help is much appreciated...thanks x

It sounds like a conviction to me. Your best bet is to pull a report and verify.

Even if he wasn't convicted, the question asks if he'd ever been ARRESTED OR convicted. And he's been arrested, so you've got to disclose it. Besides, it'll look worse if you don't answer yes, and they find out later about these events, it'll look like you lied about them, so it's always better to disclose.

[William33 110]

Even if he wasn't convicted, the question asks if he'd ever been ARRESTED OR convicted. And he's been arrested, so you've got to disclose it. Besides, it'll look worse if you don't answer yes, and they find out later about these events, it'll look like you lied about them, so it's always better to disclose.

That is the distinction that needs to be made. That is why they need to pull the report.

You cannot be convicted, without being arrested first.

[Krystina and Andy 0]

Thanks for the help. I understand the technicalities of the question, it's just so difficult to tick yes, seeing as how he has never sold drugs or been a pimp! It just makes it look like he is admitting to selling drugs or prostitution, when really, all he is admitting to is that he was arrested.

Oh well. I'm sure it's not the first time someone has had to look like a felon, and I'm sure he'll have the opportunity to clear it up, even at the interview stage. I wish it was separated in to two questions!

How do I pull a report and verify? Sorry, naive in matters regarding the police!

Hi,

Been reading up on the police records and certificates. Sadly, I did not realize that I could have ordered this a month ago, and I received our packet from the London embassy in the mail today. I have a question about his arrest record.

When he was much younger (but old enough to know better), he was arrested twice for being drunk in public. Once he was arrested because his mates were stealing flower pots from people's front gardens, he was cautioned and let go the same night, and the second was a bit trickier.

He was drunk, of course, and he threw a rock at some hecklers behind him and his friends. Well, being drunk, his aim was not at its best, and the rock hit and broke a store window. He had to appear in Magistrate's court, where he was cautioned because it was his first offence, and he paid a fine for the court costs and for the repair of the window. He's not sure if this is going to be on his record, but of course, we will just roll with the assumption that it is.

What do we answer in terms of have you ever been convicted, arrested or charged with any crime? He technically wasn't charged for anything, but he was arrested. I know it must seem self-explanatory, but I'm just trying to be sure.

It says exactly:

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?

Selling drugs and being arrested for breaking a window falls under the same category!

Any help is much appreciated...thanks x

It sounds like a conviction to me. Your best bet is to pull a report and verify.

Even if he wasn't convicted, the question asks if he'd ever been ARRESTED OR convicted. And he's been arrested, so you've got to disclose it. Besides, it'll look worse if you don't answer yes, and they find out later about these events, it'll look like you lied about them, so it's always better to disclose.

[Krystina and Andy 0]

Just in case someone every needs the same information in the future, Andrew rang Hampshire police, who said that it might/might not be on record, it depends on the individual force.

Also, a caution is not a conviction, and if you were cautioned, even if you appeared in court, you have not been charged with a crime, nor have you been convicted. You can call the data protection officer who can look up your records and tell you whether or not the caution is still on your record.

We are still answering yes to the arrested question, but am going to put in a letter explaining that it was a caution and not to do with selling drugs and women!

Thanks for the help. I understand the technicalities of the question, it's just so difficult to tick yes, seeing as how he has never sold drugs or been a pimp! It just makes it look like he is admitting to selling drugs or prostitution, when really, all he is admitting to is that he was arrested.

Oh well. I'm sure it's not the first time someone has had to look like a felon, and I'm sure he'll have the opportunity to clear it up, even at the interview stage. I wish it was separated in to two questions!

How do I pull a report and verify? Sorry, naive in matters regarding the police!

Hi,

Been reading up on the police records and certificates. Sadly, I did not realize that I could have ordered this a month ago, and I received our packet from the London embassy in the mail today. I have a question about his arrest record.

When he was much younger (but old enough to know better), he was arrested twice for being drunk in public. Once he was arrested because his mates were stealing flower pots from people's front gardens, he was cautioned and let go the same night, and the second was a bit trickier.

He was drunk, of course, and he threw a rock at some hecklers behind him and his friends. Well, being drunk, his aim was not at its best, and the rock hit and broke a store window. He had to appear in Magistrate's court, where he was cautioned because it was his first offence, and he paid a fine for the court costs and for the repair of the window. He's not sure if this is going to be on his record, but of course, we will just roll with the assumption that it is.

What do we answer in terms of have you ever been convicted, arrested or charged with any crime? He technically wasn't charged for anything, but he was arrested. I know it must seem self-explanatory, but I'm just trying to be sure.

It says exactly:

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?

Selling drugs and being arrested for breaking a window falls under the same category!

Any help is much appreciated...thanks x

It sounds like a conviction to me. Your best bet is to pull a report and verify.

Even if he wasn't convicted, the question asks if he'd ever been ARRESTED OR convicted. And he's been arrested, so you've got to disclose it. Besides, it'll look worse if you don't answer yes, and they find out later about these events, it'll look like you lied about them, so it's always better to disclose.

[MM_MS 0]

Hi Krystina,

I'd make sure to disclose all the details requested. My take on it is that these antics happened in the past and sound like little more than (foolish) youthful folly. Everyone was young at one time and did dumb things (save those who are perfect). The offenses don't sound all that awful. Be forthcoming on the forms and make sure that the restitution made is documented.

By comparison, if he had a history of public drunkeness arrests with fines for damaging property, then I'd be worried .. and certainly if he committed a more serious crime. But that's not what this sounds like. Hopefully, the petition will be reviewed with perspective.

Good luck!

MM and MS

P.S. You don't want to give the embassy any reason to question his or your credibility. That's the reason you want to include the cautions. IF they learn about the cautions and they weren't disclosed, then it leads the consulate to wonder what else wasn't disclosed. My two cents.

Hi,

Been reading up on the police records and certificates. Sadly, I did not realize that I could have ordered this a month ago, and I received our packet from the London embassy in the mail today. I have a question about his arrest record.

When he was much younger (but old enough to know better), he was arrested twice for being drunk in public. Once he was arrested because his mates were stealing flower pots from people's front gardens, he was cautioned and let go the same night, and the second was a bit trickier.

He was drunk, of course, and he threw a rock at some hecklers behind him and his friends. Well, being drunk, his aim was not at its best, and the rock hit and broke a store window. He had to appear in Magistrate's court, where he was cautioned because it was his first offence, and he paid a fine for the court costs and for the repair of the window. He's not sure if this is going to be on his record, but of course, we will just roll with the assumption that it is.

What do we answer in terms of have you ever been convicted, arrested or charged with any crime? He technically wasn't charged for anything, but he was arrested. I know it must seem self-explanatory, but I'm just trying to be sure.

It says exactly:

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?

Selling drugs and being arrested for breaking a window falls under the same category!

Any help is much appreciated...thanks x

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

I would tend to disagree with some of the information that I am seeing here. I have never been to a UK court. However, as a police officer in the Caribbean, where the legal system is based/derived from the UK legal system, I think I am able to shed some light on this situation.

He will not be taken to a magistrate's court without first being charged. The magistrate will not caution him without first hearing the case against him. After hearing the case, the magistrate will either find him guilty or not guilty. If he is found not guilty, the case will be dismissed. If he is found guilty, the magistrate might impose a fine or imprisonment or both. In the case of a guilty verdict, where the magistrate decides that the case is not of a very serious nature, he/she may decide to caution, reprimand and discharge the defendant.

A caution from a magistrate is very different from a caution by police, and there will indeed be a record of it.