My friends got caught poaching for fish. The police impounded their cars and all their equipment.?

Question

The police also took fingerprints, dna samples the whole lot. This was in Scotland. Does anyone know how long they can impound the car and equipment for?

Answer 1

If they are banged to rights the car and equipment will be auctioned off.

Answer 2

Oh dear me! Your friends have really done it have they not? I mean, not only getting caught red handed with all the gear as it were, and presumably a keep net full of stolen fish. This really is the big one.

What you've got to consider is who actually owns the river from where your friends poached the fish. Blimey! Don't tell me; a Scottish Lord and all your friends are English?

All this poaching and without a license. The least you can expect is hanging or transportation to Bondi Beach in the Penal Colony of Oz. I'd take the transportation option personally, best chance and sunny etc.

If people must go poaching for fish, trout, salmon etc. You need a small stick of dynamite. Explode this under the water of the river and loads of fish turn belly up - stunned. These are then quickly gathered in and thrown into the back of your gang's pick up into which you then throw yourselves and race off over the hills and far away. Be organised next time. All of this is carried out under the cover of darkness. A night op.

Answer 3

Honestly if it is that hidden I don't think you'd have anything to be worried about. Especially if you are in such a small boat with such a small motor. If you did get caught though, and could not produce any paperwork proving that it belongs to you, you could get arrested and fined for stealing a boat. So I just wouldn't go out until it is registered. I've never been pulled over with a boat or stopped while loading it into or out of the water and I have been fishing for about 15 years, but it could happen.

Answer 4

In England, at least, the confiscated items will be kept until the trial, unless they decide not to proceed, in which they will be returned.

If the court finds your friends guilty they can order the goods destroyed or sold off. If it's a not guilty verdict, they're returned.

I'm not sure about Scottish law, but I would imagine it's basically the same practice.

Answer 5

Until they appear in court,
then dependant on the out-come
they may have their equipment & cars returned 2 them

all of this is because Nu-Labour have toyed so much with the Justice system, this is NOW all PERFECTLY legal, 2.
under the proceeds of Crime act.
if they're fined & unable 2 pay, the cars & equipment mayb kept 2 cover the fines & costs.

Answer 6

The instruments and equipment used in committing a crime will be impounded as long as the case is not yet over. Release will be made when there is dismissal of the case if the crime charged is not proven.

Answer 7

cars can be impounded or seized as we say in GB until the end of a criminal investigation, then its up to the owner to pay to get the car out and they have to pay for it....ouch.
The poahing equipment can be destroyed without owners permission.

Answer 8

As soon as your friends are found innocent in court the equipment will be returned.

So it's all good news isn't it!

Of course, if they''re guilty, well, they face fines, plus having their equipment destroyed or sold at auction ...

Didn't they know poaching is stealing?

Answer 9

Ooops !

It happens.

I think it's untill the court case is over, if they're let off then they should get it all back ( unless any of it was illegal in it's own right ) if theyre found guilty I think the Crown can sell it off to reclaim costs ?

Answer 10

for ever ..but sounds way over the top even fur Scotland think maybe appeal ....take police to court ...and why not punishment must fit crime ....and poaching seems bit oldie agy for all that tech,, sure he was just fishing ..or maybe police were ..see lawyer good one ...