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by peteretep 3899 days ago
Can you give examples of people who were arrested for no -criminal behaviour? I'd thought they were just arresting people who'd been pictures commuting crimes?

Also: why is being arrested such a big deal? You'll get mugshotted, swabbed, but unless CPS charge you (for which they need to believe they have a reasonable chance of a conviction), it's not going to show up in a background check.
3 comments
JupiterMoon 3899 days ago
Please google "joint enterprise". Just being at the scene of a crime can be enough to convicted of it in the UK.

EDIT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_purpose

Also you don't need to be convicted of a crime in the UK to be given a record. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_caution

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peteretep 3899 days ago
I don't think you read either of the links you posted. For starters, you have to admit guilt to get a caution. Secondly, can you give ANY examples of people from the London riot's who were arrested for attendance only? Like even a single example?
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JupiterMoon 3899 days ago
Firstly this is bigger than just the riots. There are people doing long sentences for being present at crimes committed by other people. (Some of them may be fully deserving as they planned it together but others rather less so.)

Secondly do you know anyone who's ever been questioned by the police? The situation when they offer you the caution is rather intimidating.

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coldtea 3898 days ago
>Can you give examples of people who were arrested for no -criminal behaviour? I'd thought they were just arresting people who'd been pictures commuting crimes?

In my country? Tons. And more people who have been arrested while being non-criminal in a demonstration, and then falsely accused of criminal behavior (and with stuff planted on them).

Sometimes that gets dispelled in court, othertimes there is even third-party footage showing police planting stuff on them.

And then there are police units in disguise coming out of police vans, merging with peaceful protesters, and inciting violence and damages to break a demonstration.

>why is being arrested such a big deal?

Depends on the country. In the UK, but several others too (including mine) you can be held without trial for months (up to a year or so actually), you can get beaten up in the police department, etc.

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DanBC 3899 days ago
This case is worrying. He was guilty of some crime, but not the crimes they charged and sentenced him with.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/mar/05/joint-enterpr...

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2014/03/31/case-study-...

There are a bunch of these.

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peteretep 3899 days ago
That is indeed a very worrying case, but is not related at all to the riots.
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