Police to target motorists who use loopholes to evade conviction?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/13092006/344/police-target-loophole-drivers.html

I've just read the above article... and don't get me wrong, but I'm a big supporter of the police... but this isn't their job is it? Surely if there are loopholes in our laws than they are not the ones to fix them. I'm sure there are more deserving matters to hand that they can deal with isn't there?

Jake... I agree with you in saying that these loopholes should be closed, of course they should, but the police have no jurisdiction here and are wasting their time, which is why I say that there time is better used elswhere....

Answer 1

No they shouldn't.
If there are loopholes, then Parliament should have the laws tightened up!
Police are not the law, they just uphold it!

Answer 2

Police may not be the ones to fix the so-called "loopholes", however, just because there is a loophole in the law that helps you be found not guilty does not mean that breaking the law is OK. I am all for the officers targeting these people. These people are law-breaking criminals that deserve to be prosecuted and this just means the next time that the officers face these people, they will ensure there is no loophole there. As far as the more deserving matters, if the article is correct, then they have created a seperate division for this cause. If that be the case, then the primary role of that officer, above any other police duty, is to pursue and rightfully prosecute said subjects. That does not take away from any more pressing matters such as traffic units or patrol units or detectives or any other divisions.

I could be wrong, I have been before and I am sure I will be again, but this is just my interpretation into this question. This is more opinionated than informative, so I am sorry if anyone disagrees.

Answer 3

I agree. Its not the police's job to tighten loop holes. That is the job of the courts and parliment. If they arrest someone, bring them to the police station, charge them, question them, give them a court date and then the case is dropped, they have wasted more than 5 hours for nothing. They could have used that time to catch rapist, murderers, peadophiles etc..... But no, they have to pick on petty things. I am a supporter of the police, and without them, this country would be very bad, but I think that the police should use their time more efficiently. Everyone has a job in the legal world. Loopholes is the job of the courts and parliment and not the police. The police are there to look for criminals and send them to court. Thats all.

Answer 4

I listened to 'Mr loophole' talking on the radio this morning. He has a point. His job is to be a lawyer. He has to view papers put before him on a legal standpoint, no matter what his moral beliefs may be. From what I heard this morning, this solicitor was not picking loopholes in the law as has been passed down by Parliament. The Police had not done their job and had not used the correct procedure.

Answer 5

I didn't take the time to read your link (article). I was just pulled over three weeks ago for an expired inspection tag. I didn't even notice and the charge was dismissed in court last week after I showed proof of it being fixed. Like you, I must question what else was going on when I was pulled over recieving the ticket and what was going on while the police officer sat in the courtroom last week to make sure my tag was updated. I'm sure there was alot more going on at both times!



Wow! I just submitted my answer and read the other answers. It looks like I should have hit your link. Alot of talking about Drunk Driving. Probably better that I didn't hit your link. DD is unacceptable for me and any officer that nabs a DD before lives are taken is tops with me!

Answer 6

So, the ILLEGAL Lawyers who deliberatly get MURDERERS of our CHILDREN of the hook when they have been drunk drivers can still go scot free then? Wait until one of YOUR children is wiped out by Beckham or some other celebrity and NOTHING is done to them coz of the illegal lawyers. The police are at least trying to sort the problem of LEGAL MURDER out by targeting the drink drivers etc.
Lawyers are self governing, they dont have an independant body watching over them. When one is a top notch lawyer all kinds of very lucrative doors open for you thus making you any where up to £450,000 per case. So, the lawyers are NOT going to even think about closing said loopholes for fear of losing the "illegal" money they earn from Mr Beckham etc.
So, please, dont give me the bullshit about the police should know better and should get on with other "things" instead. ANYONE who gets into his or her car, drives to a pub, gets pissed or even just has two drinks then gets back into said car then kills a child/adult/baby in a pram should be done for pre meditated murder and given life inside.

Answer 7

I take it the police are just going to be certain they don't overlook any details that can have a ticket tossed out of court.

We sometimes detest lawyers who get the lawbreakers off scott free, but at the same time we need lawyers like that to keep the police honest.

If it was toooo easy to get convictions the police might get arrogant and start ticketing people they don't like or giving more serious citations than the person deserved.

Must have balance.

Answer 8

Trouble is, motorists are an easy target that results in a near 100% 'clear-up' rate for crimes.

Burglary (typical) - crime is reported, no evidence found, no suspect, no conviction. POOR solve rate.

Speeding (typical) - crime is detected, cannot argue evidence, suspect MUST identify a driver or face procecution under section 172, near 100% conviction rate. EXCELLENT crime solve rate.

So the police activly use these 'crime figures' to PROVE to the public that they are doing a good job at so called 'solving crimes', when if fact large propertions are just traffic stops & speeding fines. Fills you with confidence.....

A famous "Nick Freeman" was: During the trial - he asked the officer laying the charges (under oath) "are you chewing gum?", "No!" came the reply. "You are, I saw you chewing gum". Officer then replied - "It's medicinal, for a blocked nose, I have a slight cold."....Nick then gets into his stride.... "If it is medicinal - show me the prescription."... "I havn't one"....
Then turns to jury "How can any statement that this officer makes be held as true, he lied about something as simple as chewing gum, he fabricated a story about it being medicinal..."
Case was thrown out. - NOT a loophole....just a good lawyer.

Answer 9

I think it's a perfectly sensible measure. Why should rich people escape justice? Would you be happy if someone got off lightly after killing one of your family? Who would you blame - parliament? No, you'd blame the police and the prosecution, so Ithink it's perfectly sensible that they take steps to try and prevent these loopholes being used.

Answer 10

ok :) - maybe this is your kind side, im assuming here, that you dont want to break all these laws, possibly , if you had a 6k bed, you might still be asleap, and less able to offend :)

i think you would be a great person to help the police close these loopholes, based on your caring caravan of death question