phytrix wrote:No+Pro wrote:phytrix wrote:Got off my trespassing charge with just a ticket, no criminal record or anything :3
Nice/lucky/whatever!
how much $$?
Any lessons learnt for the sake of the rest of us as well?
Only $235, but according to Bianca, I can rub that off with a day of community service.
In terms of trespassing charges, at least in Brisbane, the distinction between whether a place is used as a place of business (or intended to be) or not is irrelevant, which was something I was actually hoping to use for an innocence plea.
If you have any tools or picks on you, dump them. As soon as they find anything on you, most police officers develop a portrayal of you as a criminal. If you're found with nothing suspicious on you, it seems that they're more comfortable to provide you with a lighter charge.
Make sure you keep an inventory on your stuff. They lost my $200 torch
The duty lawyer line is long and painful, so bring some entertainment.
Seeing as I was never actually trialled (I saw the duty lawyer and requested a ticket through her, which then went to an officer who accepted my request), I don't really have much more to add. However, do go through the processes. Unless you feel you have a reasonable case, ask for a ticket first, (if denied) then plead guilty and ask for a good behaviour bond (if you feel like you play it safe enough that you won't get busted again), then if that's denied, ask for a fine, then jail time as a final resort (pretty much impossible in this hobby, though).
Additionally, if multiple people are busted, make sure you all get treated the same. If one person gets a ticket for offence A, the other people should only get a ticket too assuming they're facing the same charge. If you mention this, it seems like they have to do so.
