Recent Book: Charging: Police Charges
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6103400317 |
| Author | A. Glaister |
| Published date | 01 May 1961 |
| Date | 01 May 1961 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
injured party more as the victim of an assault. Even in such a case,
however, it might well be that if the authorities for any reason
refuse to prosecute, the remedy of the individual lies in the civil
rather than the criminal courts.
We know that in one of the busiest police courts in Scotland
only one private prosecution has been taken this century. That
was a case of an alleged assault by a woman upon a male neighbour,
and arose out of a squabble about the closing of a door to a common
stair. The local Prosecutor refused to take action on the ground
that there was no public interest. The man was dissatisfied, and
not to
put
difficulties in his way the Prosecutor concurred when he
presented his complaint. In dismissing the complaint the magistrate
made the remark
that
the case should never have been brought.
Beeent
Books
CHARGING
J.
DANIEL
DEVLIN:
Police Charges. Police Review Publishing Co. 12s.
THIS IS
AN
attractively produced text
book
which will find popularity amongst
all police officers who are directly engaged in the apprehension of offenders and
with charge room procedure.
It is not the first volume of its type---every few years a fresh
book
on this
subject seems to come on the market, some more detailed than others. In this
respect the publication is no novelty but some of the additional information
and
its actual form of presentation are unique, illuminating and extremely
useful.
Before taking this
book
into practical use it is recommended that some little
time be devoted to a clear understanding of the introduction, particularly so as
to be able to interpret correctly the line of letters and abbreviations which
follow each charge. As explained, these symbols convey a great deal of useful
data
but they must be thoroughly understood.
For
example, the different powers
of arrest run to over 30 separate codes and one can visualise the confusion which
can follow unless they are appreciated properly.
Not
being content with the usual classification of offences, the writer has
gone to considerable trouble to break down the types into more detail by quoting
the mode of trial, thus supplying often needed information without loss of time.
In addition, courts of trial are shown together with limitations of time for
proceedings and maximum penalties. Some offences may only be prosecuted by
or with the consent of certain persons such as the Attorney General or the
Director of Public Prosecutions and in relevant cases this information is also
given.
The final letters in the abbreviations after each charge denote whether or
not
the third schedule to the Firearms Act applies.
All in all, therefore, there is a lot of detail in tabular form consequent
upon
each
charge-all
vital information and very necessary to operational officers.
This form of presentation will save much of the time which is often spent in
searching other standard books of reference.
May-June 1961 233
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