Got a Caution - as in let off......stay on record?
Got a Caution - as in let off......stay on record?
Author
Discussion

GrahamC230K

Original Poster:

384 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
I was a driving poorly in the eyes of the law today and was very very lucky to just get a caution (makes a change not to be the "you have the right to remain silent" type!).

I have a slip which says the offence and that I have been issued a cuation instead of prosecution.

Can anyone tell me if this is held on my record and if so for how long?

cheers

Graham

Plotloss

67,280 posts

291 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
Caution is a criminal thing isnt it? Stays on your permanent record or so I thought...

GrahamC230K

Original Poster:

384 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
This is what I need to clarify. Is a Motoring caution, like a regular criminal caution?

Think the lawyers and officers amounst us better help answer this one.

I just want to know. The officers were fair and gave me a talking to which was probably deserved and didn't fall on deaf ears.

tonyrec

3,984 posts

276 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
What offence had you committed and what form were you given?

GrahamC230K

Original Poster:

384 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
The slip is rectangular in shape and blue in colour.

Along the top it has a section that says:


HORT1 / VDRS / Caution


The 1st two are crossed out on my form.

It states I have been cautioned as opposed to being prosecuted and I had to sign it.

>> Edited by GrahamC230K on Thursday 4th December 12:35

tonyrec

3,984 posts

276 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
Different Forces use different forms....ive never seen that one before.
Before i comment further, what offence did you comit?

GrahamC230K

Original Poster:

384 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
Sorry, meant to put in last post.

He wrote on the form "driving without due care".

It was a result of travelling at speed on the motorway, a little too close to vehicles in front. I was just trying to get from A to B, but obviously nothing is too important to drive too poorly.

The officer, although commented "I was above the 80mph limit" (yes he really said 80) seemed more interested in my driving behaviour more than the speed.

In the clear light of day, I find tailgating unacceptable, hence I shall be changing the way I drive.

tonyrec

3,984 posts

276 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
Certainly cant understand it at all.

Theres nothing to worry about because its not Criminal ie) Its not recordable........

GrahamC230K

Original Poster:

384 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
cheers

xxplod

2,269 posts

265 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
I will give you the definitive answer. No, you do not have any kind of "Police Record" for this. Speeding is what is called a Non-Recordable offence. That is to say, a convicted speeder does not have his fingerprints/DNA/photo taken, and no input document to the Police National Computer is generated by the issue of a speeding ticket. So, if you got a "caution" you have simply been let off/verbally warned, call it what you will. I am 99% certain that the form you were given was little more than a means for the Officer to demonstrate in his stats that he is out, stopping offenders, and dealing with them appropriately.
To clear up any confusion (or try to!) with Cautions, basically, as far as Adults go, they can be Cautioned, usually by a Police Custody Sergeant, if they get arrested for a minor matter, e.g. petty theft, drunkeness, possession of percy drugs etc... and they have admitted the offence, and have not been in trouble before. It is an alternative to a Court appearance. In this situation, you do have your prints/DNA taken etc... and you will have a record.

silverback mike

11,292 posts

274 months

Thursday 4th December 2003
quotequote all
Ditto to Tony really, I have never seen one.

The only thing I can think of is that when you are suspected of an offence, an officer issues 'the' caution. ie "You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence...etc etc" which is purely a legal thing, which officers have to adhere to.

It may be ticked to show that you have recieved that bit, and then let off the offence with verbal words of advice.

As tony says, it isn't a criminal offence, and you don't have to declare it if you are ever asked, ie job applications etc.

Its a new one to me though....