What's the point?

**onearmedbandit** · 1st October 2010, 00:06

Just got in and turned the TV on before and I caught the end of cops with cameras. I watched a search warrant executed, with force, on a small flat in relation to cannabis dealing. There was at least 4 officers involved, and of course the extra TV crew. They found 'reefer' ready to be rolled into cigarettes, and a couple blocks of resin, roughly each the size of a cigarette packet or bigger. The sleeping occupant was arrested and charged with possession and intent to supply.

At the end of the show they bring you up to date on the charges. The offender received a 100 pound fine. Yep, all that cost, paperwork, man hours, damage to the door at the flat, cell time, court time, and they netted 100 lousy pounds.

Tell me. What is the point? What message is the justice system sending (yes I know it's the UK but similar happens here in NZ) when so much effort and money is used to bust and arrest these criminals, then the courts hand down a worthless fine.

I don't want to debate anything related to marijuana here in regards to it's legal status or it's effects. I just want to know why.

**Gremlin** · 1st October 2010, 00:11

bet the cops ask themselves the same question...

**EJK** · 1st October 2010, 00:15

Justice shall not be weighed upon the scale of money.

Btw, it's TV. Can be a set up?

**onearmedbandit** · 1st October 2010, 00:18

Originally Posted by EJK

Justice shall not be weighed upon the scale of money.

What exactly is the point then? What was gained by this arrest? A guy lost his stash and 100 pounds? Do you think he isn't going to just go and score again after he walks out of the cells?

Originally Posted by EJK

Btw, it's TV. Can be a set up?

Yes, thanks. What gave it away was that I was watching it on my TV. But that aside, this happens quite often. Even here in NZ.

**EJK** · 1st October 2010, 00:20

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

What exactly is the point then? What was gained by this arrest? A guy lost his stash and 100 pounds? Do you think he isn't going to just go and score again after he walks out of the cells?

Yes, thanks. What gave it away was that I was watching it on my TV. But that aside, this happens quite often. Even here in NZ.

I rest my case.

**Headbanger** · 1st October 2010, 00:21

If it were in NZ I'd say the point is after 20 years, 120 convictions, and millions of dollars spent, the offender might stab someone to death and finally get some decent jail time.....

and the world is a better place (a better place)

For you
(for you)

and Meeeeeee
(and meeeeeee)

Can you feel it?

**Headbanger** · 1st October 2010, 00:22

wait, The point is,breaking the law will not be tolerated,expect a visit from the cops.

**Berries** · 1st October 2010, 06:50

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

I don't want to debate anything related to marijuana here in regards to it's legal status or it's effects. I just want to know why.

May be the judges are commenting on the legal system in the only way they can, being sick of all the time wasted on people who are wasted and little danger to anybody. All that Police time and what is the benefit to the community ? None. The community want the burglars caught.

**Grubber** · 1st October 2010, 07:06

I certainly get your point. It's not the time wasted that is the problem, it is the outcome after all the time spent getting these toe rags into jail (or not in this case).
If they handed out a year or 2 in the slammer it might make a difference (or it might not). I think if you were guaranteed a good spell behind bars then you may think twice about the small crimes like this.
The hard drugs should have you end up locked away indefinitely. No prob's re offending then eh!

**Usarka** · 1st October 2010, 07:49

The moral of the story is that don't have enough on you to constitute supply - buy small, visit your local gang on a more regular basis.

**mashman** · 1st October 2010, 08:08

Pointless from the view that there's ALWAYS someone else to fill those now vacant shoes... All that time and effort planning the raid and for what? Even if it was a haul of E, all you'd really be stopping is some hard out Disco dancin, you'll have hardly dented the supply chain, yet after 40 years and much legislation, a slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket seems to be the go WTF!!! Did they mention if it was a first offence?

**avgas** · 1st October 2010, 08:35

Possession is a mark against his record.
He will not be able to go to certain countries, and should he re-offend for any reason at all, have a guess what they are going to check first.

Think of it like a warning at your job, first warning is a 'telling off' - don't do this again. But it builds the pretension up, second one they will stand you down......3rd one they fire you.
Even if the first was the worst.

**onearmedbandit** · 1st October 2010, 08:44

Originally Posted by avgas

Possession is a mark against his record.
He will not be able to go to certain countries, and should he re-offend for any reason at all, have a guess what they are going to check first.

Think of it like a warning at your job, first warning is a 'telling off' - don't do this again. But it builds the pretension up, second one they will stand you down......3rd one they fire you.
Even if the first was the worst.

Lucky I got diversion all those years ago then. Although I did notice in court the amount I was charged with was far less then what I got caught with.

**avgas** · 1st October 2010, 08:49

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Lucky I got diversion all those years ago then. Although I did notice in court the amount I was charged with was far less then what I got caught with.

Yeah even if you did, if you didn't re-offend within 7 years it most likely would have got wiped.
Unless you were dealing the shit - then your fucked.

**onearmedbandit** · 1st October 2010, 09:14

Originally Posted by avgas

Yeah even if you did, if you didn't re-offend within 7 years it most likely would have got wiped.
Unless you were dealing the shit - then your fucked.

Oh I'm a very good boy now. I no longer put myself into a situation where stupidity could get me busted for smoking a little bud.