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Legal matters

What happens when a 17yr old is arrested for assault?

20 replies

Fruitysunshine · 29/08/2009 08:34

I wondered if anyone can tell me what the procedures are at a police station when a youth is arrested? I have got the jist of "your rights" but I just wanted to know what happens in the police station and how long a youth can be detained for?

Many thanks.

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Fruitysunshine · 29/08/2009 09:00

bump a very worried mum!

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mamadiva · 29/08/2009 09:11

Sorry don't know much but just thought I'd keep this active for you

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MissisBoot · 29/08/2009 09:17

Oh dear - was he drunk?

Has he been charged?

If he was drunk he won't have been dealth with til he's sobered up - depending on whether he admits it he'll be charged and then sent to court.

Depends also on whether the victim wants to press charges.

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Tortington · 29/08/2009 09:20

yeah they might keep him for a good few hours

take his laces and empty his pockets and take his fags ( if he has any) take his DNA and fingerprints.

you can ask for a duty solicitor to be with him whilst he makes a statement.

depending on the circumstances and severity of the assault - he might only get a caution

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Fruitysunshine · 29/08/2009 09:37

He had been drinking - the guy is in a "serious" condition in hospital. My son has never been arrested and this kind of behaviour is very out of character for him. He does not know the other person involved.

I have spoken with the custody suite and obviously they tell me he is fine but cannot release any information about the situation at all. They also would not comment on if they forsee him being released today.

It is the not knowing that is worst. I got a call at 12.40am this morning and have not been able to sleep and now my 23month old is awake and being lovely as usual but I just feel so sad that I have failed my son. It never stops being a parent - does it?

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Tortington · 29/08/2009 09:40

oh dear 'serious'

i suppose it depends on the circumstnaces = perhaps he didn't start it?

he needs a solicitor befoe he says anything

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Fruitysunshine · 29/08/2009 09:42

What does "serious" mean though Custardo? What type of injuries does that entail? I got a quick word with him last night in custody and he said he did not have have a weapon. Am I being naive???

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MissisBoot · 29/08/2009 09:43

You haven't failed your son - he will just need to take responsibility for his own actions and this may well be a hard lesson for him to learn.

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MissisBoot · 29/08/2009 09:51

without wanting to worry you - if they victim is in hospital it is possible that he may be charged with gbh rather than assault - again it all depends on the circumstances and if indeed he was the assailant.

agree - he needs to speak to a solicitor

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Tortington · 29/08/2009 09:52

Being upgraded to "serious" means there is a lower likelihood of death within 24 hours, but the patient still requires close observation. So, you're definitely thought to be better off in "serious" condition than in "critical" condition, but you're not ready to go run a marathon, or for that matter shuffle to the bathroom.

got that off the internet - i think its american though

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purepurple · 29/08/2009 09:54

You haven't failed him. You can only hope that he will learn from this situation. We all make mistakes. It's what you learn from mkaing those mistakes that makes all the difference.
He will have to deal with the fallout now.
'serious' is not as bad as 'critical'
You are right, parenting doesn't get easier the older they get. I have a 20 year old, the problems are just different.

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Fruitysunshine · 29/08/2009 10:00

Thanks ladies - I feel I am usually quite a strong resiliant mum but I feel totally out of my league here through not being able to see him and a distinct lack of information.

Will accept that is how it is for the next few hours - although they declined to say if he would be released today.

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mumoverseas · 29/08/2009 15:18

oh poor you, how stressful for you.
As others have said, you haven't failed your son, sadly it is just one of those things.

Agree with what custy has said in her posts.
Just be prepared however for the fact that the custody sgt may deem it serious enough not to release him on bail and may keep him in and put him before the Court on Monday morning. However if he has no previous hopefully they won't do that.
Hopefully he has been sensible and asked for the duty solicitor. If not, and if he is bailed, please make sure that he sees one or he can ask to see the duty solicitor if he has to attend Court.

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nickschick · 29/08/2009 15:23

well last week my 16 year old was assaulted by a junkie she got a night in the cells a 5 week bail order and was home by 12 lunchtime!!.

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Fruitysunshine · 31/08/2009 20:02

Well, he was released Saturday afternoon after they had finished with him, on bail. He has to return in a few weeks time to hear his outcome i.e. charges, if any. I am seriously hoping he gets nothing more than a caution, this is the first time he has been involved in anything like this and he has been sufficiently scared by the whole experience.

Thanks for your replies.

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 01/09/2009 00:05

Be aware that accepting a caution will result in your son having a criminal record. It's the same as pleading guilty.

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Fruitysunshine · 01/09/2009 13:31

Huh? Have to see his Solicitor again I think!

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MissisBoot · 01/09/2009 13:38

As he's 17 and under he'll either get either a reprimand or final warning. You can't get a caution til you're 18 or over.

Neither a caution or reprimand are considered criminal convictions but it will be noted on the police database and could be used against him if he offends again.

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MadameCastafiore · 01/09/2009 13:42

And lets hope the poor sod who was assaulted is feeling better today!

Maybe your son should not assault someone again because he is scared but because his morals dictate that it is wrong to cause pain to another living thing!

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Fruitysunshine · 01/09/2009 18:02

Thank you missisboot for the piece of mind.

Madamecastafiore - I totally agree with you. I do hope the lad that was assaulted is feeling better but by all accounts it turned out to be self defence and the other lad came off worse. All caught on cctv. But I have reiterated again and again about what is right and wrong but - he seems to have a problem keeping his anger in check.

I do not condone him being involved in this at all and I am seriously checking myself for any part in this - believe me!