hi guys, as some of you know im a big crystal palace supporter. i was arrested last night before entering the game as the police said i was drunk, by no means was i drunk the said it was due to the redness of my eyes yes i had a few but by no means was i out of my face. now whatever i say to the police now, phonecalls etc they wont have none of it.

when released at about 10pm last night i was given a court letter to attend court next wednesday 26th at 10am in ipswich WTF??

as you know i live down south and there is no way i can attend court next week as im in hospital then? also why on earth do i need to attend court i have no idea? as said i have been going to away games for 7 years now with no trouble with the police

i know whatever i say to the police they wont have any of it. but more concerned about what they will do to me/happen in court?

 

get yourself a lawer to sort out

 

If they say you need to be in court at a time or place you need to be there or else you are commiting a crime in itself.

I'd get a lawyer to advise you. If you are in hospital, contact the police and find out who you need to speak to regarding not being in court on that date. do it asap!

 

rub yer mince pies hard at the docs and stroll in and let him have a peep,the doc gives you some cream or other and you go to court with a nice bit of proof that old bill didn't understand your ailment due to medical grounds not the bevvy like they clearly thought.

 

Surely there must be more to it than being a bit drunk to make it a court appearance, did you knock a bobbies hat off or insult his mother?

 

Haha, I like that idea

 

nope absolutely nothing!

ive just been on the phone to my friend who was with me and he couldnt believe it!

 

Any mention of an offence anywhere?

 

Erm, not getting the full story here.

You MUST have been charged with something for you to be asked to appear in court.

ps. Fellow Palace fan here.......Darren Ambrose has turned out to be a cracking buy hasnt he?!

 

here is the exact wording on the paper i have

"drunk while trying to enter a sports ground - sporting event"

i was by no means drunk, but i know whatever i say they will not listen, only thing is i am on very strong medication for my nerve condition. i was on my medication yesterday and it does make my eyes very glazed over, yes i admit i did have about 3 pints before the game. i am just worried what will happen in court.

 

if you have a legitimate pryor appointment at a hospital then you will have proof of this then you can fax the court officer and they will inform the magistrate and adjorn it for another time

 

ive phoned them up just now and re-arranged my appointment.

 

you could always take to court evidence of the medication that you are prescribed and explain to the magistrate that you can't drink while taking it

 

im taking all my hospital letters up there + it states im on ths medication

 

Did you admit to having a few drinks prior to the game mate ?? Arent they supposed to do a breath test like as in drink driving to charge you with being drunk entering a sporting event ?? Surely its his word against yours regarding whether you were drunk or not. Sounds like a fucking jobs worth to me pal. Also if you are on medication you could say why this made you look red in the face etc. Im sure this case will be threw out mate.

 

cops are a bunch of floppy knobs. they are all just jobs worth and i bet the only reason they approached you was because if it was to be any other real football hooligan they would of got more bother than they could be arsed with, regarding the court date mate you wil have to attend because as said before by not going your commiting an offence anyway mate keep us up 2 date good luck

 

yes i admited in the station i had had about 3 pints of beer, but i was never breath tested, nor did i think of them to do it either.

as said there word will always win, now i have to wast Ł60 on a train up there for nothing.

 

I'd love to know how they can charge you specifically with being drunk when you werent breath tested.

Get yourself a solicitor on legal aid and have all your info about medication ready for him


I feel a bit sorry for the police when a handfull of them are trying to monitor thousands upon thousands of people in a split second, thay have to make judgement calls...hopefully you can make them aware it was the wrong call in this case

 

is it free on legal aid then?

what will happen if i go to court with no solicitor?

 

Say hello to your 3 year banning order pal.

 

best thing to do is see what they have charged you with?then contact a solictor and speak to them no one elsehope all goes well

 

not a good idea do as i have said above ask what the charge is?you dont need to tell anyone find out for yourself and your solicitor

 

i have absolutely no money for a solicitor

 

i'm sure you can contact the court and ask about solicitor on legal aid?

make enquiries asap

 

if its ok to ask are you working just now?

 

yes i am but i am self funding at hospital with my condition so it saps all of my wages.

how much would a solicitor cost?

 

chill out mate i know its hard thinking of all the bad stuff but i recon youll get a fine mate or worst is getting band from the footy club you love but good luck matey

 

going to sort a solicitor out and plead not guilty. yes i had a sociable drink, im not denying that but by no means was i drunk and legless.

 

you may get legal aid freebut find out what the charge is firstbecause if its some thing really silly then you may get a fine through the door<<<also not good but better than going to court fight your case first though

 

Your forgetting one thing mate. Evidence!!!! No breath test well how can they prove that you was intoxicated then.

When you get to court, all you need to do is say to them. Can you please provide the jury with solid EVIDENCE that I was drunk...

If they cant submit anything, then keep denying it as it will get chucked out.. wasting police n tax payers money n time mate

 

I've been in the same situation for a more serious offence. I was working, couldn't get legal aid and couldn't afford a solicitor.

I went to Citizens andvice and they gave me some very good information about representing myself. The verdict was not guilty.

I won't go into great detail as I'm not a legal expert but I strongly advise the CAB.

Shanny

 

Jury? I don't think so.

 

As i said before solicitor or not you WILL be getting a 3 year ban from every English and Welsh ground in the league, also handing your passport in for every England away match, 2 days before and then on match day to collect it back again.

 

Drunk when entering a sports ground? WTF? Thats a new one on me, but then we are turning ito a police state so I'm not surprised its an offence. A bit like gathering in a group of people and doing nothing.
Last time I played footy we were drinking at half time - on the field! lol. I guess the local pitch aint the same as some big 'ground'.

 

ill rephase that mate lol

court

 

3 year ban? i was not drunk though thats the thing.

 

when you get to court you can ask to speak to a duty solicitor who will go into court with you and speak on your behalf, this is free and as there is no evidence im shaw you will be fine

 

as said theres no jury there.

when i plead not guilty, will i have to return to court do you know or will it be settled there?

 

HAVE YOU ASKED WHAT THE CHARGE IS YET?then we can get some way to work for you

 

i no that but the solictor will see beable to present the facts to the judge on you behalf and will also no the law inside out its always best to have a solicitor with you