Law student, arrested for being drunk and disorderly, issued with £80 penalty...

Thanks for your post.

There is a chance of me being convicted though, if I do appeal, right? Are you suggesting I appeal? Or are you advising me to get a solicitor so I can ask them whether a fine is ever likely to come up?

Please could you explain their exact circumstances? Was it for D&D? Were they convicted? Or did they just get fined?

D&D during a pub crawl and was issued a fine just like you. Couldn't get a job anywhere (law related that is) and he looked for a good 2/3 years before just settling down for some ****** office job. So much for a top class degree

D&D during a pub crawl and was issued a fine just like you. Couldn't get a job anywhere (law related that is) and he looked for a good 2/3 years before just settling down for some ****** office job. So much for a top class degree

Sorry, but top class degree --- come on - he either had a 2:2 or lower or a conviction or both. I reckon there were a few things he wasn't telling you.

There are a lot of conflicting responses in this thread. Are you 100% sure that's true?

yea family friend's son

And was he ever told that the reason he wasn't given a job was because of his D&D fine?

Oh God I hope you are right, I didn't even WANT to go out that night, and I've been drunk about 3 times since July last year as I was making an effort to drink less (used it to 'escape' from depression) - but my housemates insisted and I didn't want to be a recluse so I went along and that is what bloody happened. If you knew about my life story you would agree I am probably one of the most unlucky people living in the developed world.

There's been a lot of garbage written so far.

When you apply to do your LPC you need to become a student member of the SRA. As part of that application process you need to declare ANY criminal conviction, including cautions, reprimands, fines and warnings (even if they are spent).

http://www.sra.org.uk/enrol/

Those will be taken into account when deciding whether you are of the requisite character and suitability to become a member of the profession.

Generally, the SRA is more concerned with dishonesty offences than those such as D&D. However, you need to recognise that there is a risk you will not be granted student membership.

Whether this affects your decision to appeal your conviction is your call. From what you've said so far, I doubt you have sufficient grounds to appeal. I suggest you contact the SRA as soon as possible and seek their guidance as to whether a D&D conviction would hamper your application.

That's useful information chalks. She hasn't been convicted though and law firms only ask that. Then they interview/check references and offer a place. Do you know if they check the crb which would include fines, warnings etc. before the final decision?

That's useful information chalks. She hasn't been convicted though and law firms only ask that. Then they interview/check references and offer a place. Do you know if they check the crb which would include fines, warnings etc. before the final decision?

The exact text of the Penalty Notice:

You (offence particulars)

"Were drunk and disorderly in a public place. Waving your arms around, pointing at security staff and swearing."

What actually happened was, I was ejected from a club for being slightly too drunk. The bouncer was being unreasonable and decided to retain my jacket for NO reason. It was freezing, so I asked her nicely for it. I was thrown out of the club alone and I didn't want to pay for a taxi alone, so needed my jacket to walk the 40 minute walk. She wouldn't give it to me. I walked to a nearby police car and asked them if she had a legal right to withhold it, but I can't remember what they said, all I remember is that they were being patronising, which annoyed me, and I remember saying 'Look, I am more intelligent than you, so whatever'. Then I walked back to the door and demanded my jacket back from her. She flipped and said 'You are a f***ing b!tch' and pushed me against the wall. This was unprovoked, but I have no witnesses. So I started pointing at her and calling her a b!tch back. Then the two police officers I said I was more intelligent than ran over and arrested me. I did not resist arrest. I was taken to the station. They demanded my details, I would not provide them because they would not give me an explanation as to why I was being arrested, other than saying it was for being 'drunk and disorderly'. So they threw me in a police cell, two women stripped me naked and forced me to wear a paper suit and I was kept in overnight. The next afternoon they issued me with a penalty notice, which I have still not paid. Do I stand a chance of appealing this? I still have until Monday next week before the 21 day period to pay it is over. I wanted to appeal at the beginning because I was utterly incensed by how I had been treated, but I didn't think I had a leg to stand on as I had no witnesses.

You sure showed them ey! Not so clever to behave yourself and to keep your mouth shut.

I'm quite glad they arrested you to be honest, ok you were a bit drink; that's fine. But going around giving it the big clever person to police officers? You were drunk, but you were disorderly - It's a fair cop, you should be punished accordingly.