ChatterBank1 min ago
Credit card theft
I was arrested today for fraud by false representation for stealing and using a credit card. I know what I did was wrong and if I wasn't in dire financial problems I wouldn't have done it. I was told by the free legal advisor that the most I would get was a caution as it is a first offence. I admitted my guilt straight away and have now been bailed to return to the police station in 6 weeks. I have offered to pay back the money when I can and to do community service but when I left I was told the cps may want to prosecute. Have I got any chance of just receiving a caution.
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It will depend to some degree on the extent of your wrongdoing. So far, from the few details you've given, we're talking about at least theft and the fraud offences.
For example, you don't mention how you actually committed the initial offence, how long you had it, how often you used it, how much money you obtained etc etc.
A caution is quite low on the ladder of punishment even if you are a first time offender and that is not the only factor to be taken into consideration. Difficult to make a guess given the few details you've supplied.
For example, you don't mention how you actually committed the initial offence, how long you had it, how often you used it, how much money you obtained etc etc.
A caution is quite low on the ladder of punishment even if you are a first time offender and that is not the only factor to be taken into consideration. Difficult to make a guess given the few details you've supplied.
I was working away from home and renting a spare room from a person working on the same site as me. I was there for four months and two weeks before I left I took a credit card which had a pin number with it from his wifes purse which she'd left in the kitchen.
I used the card to make cash withdrawals and purchases over a 3 week period totalling about �1500. �700 of this I left them as rent although it was in effect there money I was leaving.
I am already going to lose my job as soon as I am charged with any offence and am hoping that if I just receive a caution or conditional caution then I will still be able to look for a job in the same industry as would be banned from most companies with a criminal conviction.
I used the card to make cash withdrawals and purchases over a 3 week period totalling about �1500. �700 of this I left them as rent although it was in effect there money I was leaving.
I am already going to lose my job as soon as I am charged with any offence and am hoping that if I just receive a caution or conditional caution then I will still be able to look for a job in the same industry as would be banned from most companies with a criminal conviction.
Okay, so far you've been arrested for the above, I take it you obviously were interviewed and admitted what you'd done?
When you return to the Police Station to answer your Bail, the following scenario may apply:
I accept what you were told by the legal advisor but I wouldn't rely on that 100%. You must also be prepared for the blackest outcome, i.e. You could be charged with: 1. Theft of the credit card. 2. The Fraud offence x several(to reflect the amount of times you used the card).
Nowadays, I believe that the offences I've indicated are rolled into one, which would still mean that, assuming you were charged and had to go to Court, and it was Magistrates Court, the punishment is either a fine or a maximum sentence of 12 months.
You may well receive a caution but I'd be more inclined to think that because of the dishonesty elements of the offences, it's possible that you may be charged and dealt with at Court.
When you return to the Police Station to answer your Bail, the following scenario may apply:
I accept what you were told by the legal advisor but I wouldn't rely on that 100%. You must also be prepared for the blackest outcome, i.e. You could be charged with: 1. Theft of the credit card. 2. The Fraud offence x several(to reflect the amount of times you used the card).
Nowadays, I believe that the offences I've indicated are rolled into one, which would still mean that, assuming you were charged and had to go to Court, and it was Magistrates Court, the punishment is either a fine or a maximum sentence of 12 months.
You may well receive a caution but I'd be more inclined to think that because of the dishonesty elements of the offences, it's possible that you may be charged and dealt with at Court.
I was interviewed and admitted what I had done straight away. I spoke to the policeman that interviewed me again yesterday and have discussed it further and have told him the main reason behind my major debt and this is because I am compulsive gambler and I went to my first ga meeting last night to seek help. I have also offered to pay back what I stole as soon as possible and have said I should be able to return at least half of it before I return for bail. He said he would include this on his report to the cps and would get back to me on how I can pay it back.
I have spoken to someone else who has been in a similar situation but 20 years ago and they received a two year suspended sentence, so I am assuming now that it is pretty much inevitable that I will be receiving some sort of sentence.
I have spoken to someone else who has been in a similar situation but 20 years ago and they received a two year suspended sentence, so I am assuming now that it is pretty much inevitable that I will be receiving some sort of sentence.
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