So maybe I am going to jail

[TCA]

So last year. I took a knife to go camping and get away from the house and the police caught me. My court date is within the next week.

I'm in the UK. I gave the officer the knife straight away and didn't threaten anybody. Should I be concerned about jail? If I go there I can piss people off until I get killed right?

 

[palatinus]

Not very likely that court officers will kill you.

Condolences about the misfortune. I hope you walk away unscathed.

 

[TCA]

Thank you. I don't know whether to try and ctb or attend my court date.

 

[ohhgeeitsme]

As long as your story is the same as the officer's, I would find it incredibly unlikely that you would go to jail for that. Of course, my opinion means nothing because I'm not familiar with UK laws, but still, just my two cents.

I once had to go to court for driving without a license. I'm in the US and in the state I was living in at the time, online, it said I could potentially be given jail time. Already having extreme anxiety, I was a complete nervous wreck for a month or two, however long it was. When I went to court, I was the first called up. He asked if I had gotten my license yet, I said no. He said guilty. It was a small fee and that was it. All that extreme worry for nothing.

 

[NotMeantForHere]

Whoa, no you shouldn't go to jail for that. What were the charges???

 

[TCA]

As long as your story is the same as the officer's, I would find it incredibly unlikely that you would go to jail for that. Of course, my opinion means nothing because I'm not familiar with UK laws, but still, just my two cents.

I once had to go to court for driving without a license. I'm in the US and in the state I was living in at the time, online, it said I could potentially be given jail time. Already having extreme anxiety, I was a complete nervous wreck for a month or two, however long it was. When I went to court, I was the first called up. He asked if I had gotten my license yet, I said no. He said guilty. It was a small fee and that was it. All that extreme worry for nothing.

thanks for your comment. I was very depressed and didn't care about life at this stage. Drinking stupid amounts.

Whoa, no you shouldn't go to jail for that. What were the charges???

Possession of a blades article.

 

[palatinus]

If you are convicted, does the judge have to lock you up? Are there deferred judgments in UK? Worst case: can you self surrender for incarceration, or do they take you straight to jail?

There's the off chance of winning in court, too. I'm an impatient and suicidal person, but I'd wait unless you know for certain that you're going straight to prison.

 

[ohhgeeitsme]

Also, totally missed that last part in your post. I wouldn't try the suicide by cop thing. You will probably not come close to dying and just land in far more trouble.

 

[TCA]

If you are convicted, does the judge have to lock you up? Are there deferred judgments in UK? Worst case: can you self surrender for incarceration, or do they take you straight to jail?

There's the off chance of winning in court, too. I'm an impatient and suicidal person, but I'd wait unless you know for certain that you're going straight to prison.

I don't know about any of this

Also, totally missed that last part in your post. I wouldn't try the suicide by cop thing. You will probably not come close to dying and just land in far more trouble.

I would not do this.

 

[ghostspace]

I'm so sorry this is happening. I recommend waiting out the court date; you may not have to serve time and it would be nicer to have more control about your CTB date and not feel pushed into it by circumstance.

I don't think anyone is going to kill you, I don't wish any injury upon you as you seem to be dealing with enough suffering as is. Please no suicide by cop or others, it's your own personal choice to CTB or not and shouldn't involve anyone else.

Stay strong through this, you have my support if there's anything you need.

 

[ohhgeeitsme]

Possession of a blades article.

Do you have any priors? Any criminal record at all?

 

[palatinus]

Whoa, no you shouldn't go to jail for that. What were the charges???

Shall ... Not ... Be ...

 

[TCA]

Do you have any priors? Any criminal record at all?

Just drink driving. A long time ago.

 

[ohhgeeitsme]

Just drink driving. A long time ago.

Hmm, the two are still unrelated so I would imagine you'll be fine.

 

[palatinus]

I don't know about any of this


I would not do this.

Wait. Have you secured legal representation?

 

[NotMeantForHere]

Possession of a blades article.
[/QUOTE]
Wow. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you get out of it ok. I don't think we have anything like that in the states..

 

[TCA]

No. I can't afford. Just relying on duty solicitor.

 

[palatinus]

Possession of a blades article.

Wow. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you get out of it ok. I don't think we have anything like that in the states..
[/QUOTE]
There are plenty of knife laws stateside, but Euros can get nailed to the cross for "that's not a knife" length blades.

I don't know sentencing policy abroad, though, hence my questions to OP

 

[NotMeantForHere]

Wow. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you get out of it ok. I don't think we have anything like that in the states..

There are plenty of knife laws stateside, but Euros can get nailed to the cross for "that's not a knife" length blades.

I don't know sentencing policy abroad, though, hence my questions to OP
[/QUOTE]
Wow.

 

[palatinus]

No. I can't afford. Just relying on duty solicitor.

Pay or not, that person is still your advocate and can explain the consequences you're actually apt to face

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

So last year. I took a knife to go camping and get away from the house and the police caught me. My court date is within the next week.

I'm in the UK. I gave the officer the knife straight away and didn't threaten anybody. Should I be concerned about jail? If I go there I can piss people off until I get killed right?

I didn't know you couldn't even have a knife for camping in the U.K. That is fucked up !!!
I'm not much of a camper … haven't done it in years but it's so messed up that you can't have a knife … what can you use ???
I can't believe you could actually go to jail for that. Maybe a fine … but I don't live in the U.K. Always wanted to visit but being poor kinda ruins that.

Thank you. I don't know whether to try and ctb or attend my court date.

If you don't have a current method ready, I would go to court. Also if you aren't ready to CTB (At any time) I would not recommend it.
I really find it hard to believe you could go to jail just for having a knife to camp with.

 

[TCA]

I didn't know you couldn't even have a knife for camping in the U.K. That is fucked up !!!
I'm not much of a camper … haven't done it in years but it's so messed up that you can't have a knife … what can you use ???
I can't believe you could actually go to jail for that. Maybe a fine … but I don't live in the U.K. Always wanted to visit but being poor kinda ruins that.

If you don't have a current method ready, I would go to court. Also if you aren't ready to CTB (At any time) I would not recommend it.
I really find it hard to believe you could go to jail just for having a knife to camp with.

I was on my way to just sleep outside somewhere. Tbh the knife was to cut myself.

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

I was on my way to just sleep outside somewhere. Tbh the knife was to cut myself.

Can you just say you were going to go camping ??? Maybe say you were going to get some supplies ???

 

[ArtsyDrawer]

You're not allowed to have a knife in UK?
How do you cook?!

 

[palatinus]

Can you just say you were going to go camping ??? Maybe say you were going to get some supplies ???

The police/Crown made the charging decision, viewing OP as criminally liable in spite of knowing he was camping. This defense is a mitigating factor, at best: not extenuation.

 

[TCA]

The police/Crown made the charging decision, viewing OP as criminally liable in spite of knowing he was camping. This defense is a mitigating factor, at best: not extenuation.

i was actually going to get camping supplies.

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

i was actually going to get camping supplies.

I don't understand how anyone could go camping without a knife. I don't think that would even be a problem in the U.S. Not to mention an axe or even a gun depending on what you going camping for.

 

[magick'sgone]

It's complicated, but you are allowed to be in possession of a knife if you can show you have a valid reason. For example, if you need one for work purposes. Camping is a valid reason but you would need to appear as if that was your intention. Did you have any camping gear (rucksack, hiking boots, waterproof clothing, etc) with you? What length was the blade and was it the kind that lock's open?‎

 

[Suez]

So last year. I took a knife to go camping and get away from the house and the police caught me. My court date is within the next week.

I'm in the UK. I gave the officer the knife straight away and didn't threaten anybody. Should I be concerned about jail? If I go there I can piss people off until I get killed right?

I cant imagine how youd end up in jail for that. However, having said that, if you have been in trouble with the cops before and maybe been picked up for similar offenses then that wont look too good. Ive never done time in the UK but ive been in jail in NZ twice. Once for 12 mnths and once for 4yrs.

 

[Suez]

I cant imagine how youd end up in jail for that. However, having said that, if you have been in trouble with the cops before and maybe been picked up for similar offenses then that wont look too good. Ive never done time in the UK but ive been in jail in NZ twice. Once for 12 mnths and once for 4yrs.

I also saw that your only prior was a driving related charge some years ago. I can tell you with pretty much 100% certainty that there is no way you will end up in jail. The charge simply isnt serious enough to warrant a jail sentence. I had multiple charges of possession heroin, possession other drugs, burglary, fraud by cheque, and assault before i ever ended up in prison. They will do everything first like probation or deferred sentences (Whereby your free but have an order that you must remain out of trouble for a period of a few months). At the very worse you may get something like (In NZ its called PD or Periodic Detention), where you have to do some type of community service for a period of time on weekends. There is NO WAY you will end up in jail. Please dont sweat it.