Folks,
A friend recently received a summons to appear in court to face a charge of being drunk in a public place several months ago. On the night in question, he was in the vicinity of an altercation (which he was not party to I'm assured!) and when the gardai called, he was subsequently arrested. He was held at the station for a couple of hours and released without charge. Later the next week, he spoke to the arresting garda about the incident and the guard advised that there was confusion as to the identity of the people involved and at worst, he (my mate) could expect a call to attend at the barracks for a caution by a senior officer. This all happened in April. Then last week, the summons arrived to say he should attend a sitting of the District Court to face charges of being intoxicated in a public place. Where does he stand here given that he wasn't charged with anything on the night in question and given that the garda advised only a caution would be forthcoming? Or does he just have to face the music & take his chances in court? In all probability, he will be ordered to make a donation to a local charity etc., but obviously would prefer to avoid the issue altogether. Thanks in advance, apple1
A friend recently received a summons to appear in court to face a charge of being drunk in a public place several months ago. On the night in question, he was in the vicinity of an altercation (which he was not party to I'm assured!) and when the gardai called, he was subsequently arrested. He was held at the station for a couple of hours and released without charge. Later the next week, he spoke to the arresting garda about the incident and the guard advised that there was confusion as to the identity of the people involved and at worst, he (my mate) could expect a call to attend at the barracks for a caution by a senior officer. This all happened in April. Then last week, the summons arrived to say he should attend a sitting of the District Court to face charges of being intoxicated in a public place. Where does he stand here given that he wasn't charged with anything on the night in question and given that the garda advised only a caution would be forthcoming? Or does he just have to face the music & take his chances in court? In all probability, he will be ordered to make a donation to a local charity etc., but obviously would prefer to avoid the issue altogether. Thanks in advance, apple1