What does Community Service actually involve?

Shout Dust

Just reading the local papers and see the local scumbag was given 120 hours community service for assault instead of 12 months in prison. Seems like he got away very light, you could do 4 hours a day and have it done in a month while still having your freedom, but what do they actually do on community service? And could they not do it while being imprisoned at the same time?

AnonoBoy

Shout Dust wrote: »

but what do they actually do on community service?

They'll probably just make you pick up litter, paint walls, remove graffiti.

You'll be well able for it dude.

Specialun

I hope the weather is fine for you

Shout Dust

If that's all they do its very light compared to a year in prison, doubt they push themselves too hard either. He'll no doubt rack up a few more convictions in the 12 months he should have been locked up too.

Wabbit Ears

Community service is getting away with it plain and simple.

Having to spend the odd few hours doing a menial task while nothing else in your life is affected is not really any form of punishment that would make someone re-consider their ways.

The Backwards Man

Usually do something that is considered a service to the community.

V.W.L 11

i done it once got 120 hours,you get time off that sentence as well,doing 3 days a week i had it done in 4 weeks

Fishyfreak

If you look at the legal definition of "assault", he probably just shouted in someones's face or threatened to batter someone without actually following through on it.

Hardly an offence worth locking someone up in the joy for.

"Assault and Battery" is the money-shot!

I am pie

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

i done it once got 120 hours,you get time off that sentence as well,doing 3 days a week i had it done in 4 weeks

What for and what did you have to do?

Shout Dust

Fishyfreak wrote: »

If you look at the legal definition of "assault", he probably just shouted in someones's face or threatened to batter someone without actually following through on it.

Hardly an offence worth locking someone up in the joy for.

"Assault and Battery" is the money-shot!

It was this case, todays story isn't up on the website
http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/local-news/holy-disgrace-of-street-brawl-1-5056253

Got it a bit wrong, the assault cases got 180 hours instead of 18 months in prison. Two of them got 120 hours instead of 12 months in prison. All of them who got a prison sentence got it suspended, the longest was 2 years, suspended for 2 years, despite the judge saying one of them has 'a particularly bad record'. So none of them are locked up. These are scumbags who'd be well known for causing trouble around Portlaoise, how letting them get away with it is going to make the place safer I don't know.

Anyway, it was more than a bit of shouting.

Fishyfreak

"All eight pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Craig Dollard, John Houlihan, Daniel Houlihan and Paul Kelly also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm."

Your original post just said assault.:rolleyes:

Duggy747

I knew some complete and utter scum who were given community service where they stood outside somewhere like a bank collecting money for charity.

The only beneficial thing they ever did for society.

V.W.L 11

I am pie wrote: »

What for and what did you have to do?

a minor road traffic offence,was painting,got free tea/coffee and biscuits as well.but thats just my experience of it

MadYaker

Is a year in prison really going to change this guy into a responsible member of society? No.

I know community service won't either but at least the taxpayers won't have to foot the bill to put this guy up in a cell for a year.

I am pie

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

a minor road traffic offence,was painting,got free tea/coffee and biscuits as well.but thats just my experience of it

Hang on, someone with previous and convicted of violent disorder or assault causing harm gets a 12 month sentence turned into 120 hours and you get 120 hours for a minor road traffic offence.

Seriously, what did you do? Ram a garda car?

Shout Dust

MadYaker wrote: »

Is a year in prison really going to change this guy into a responsible member of society? No.

I know community service won't either but at least the taxpayers won't have to foot the bill to put this guy up in a cell for a year.

Unlikely, but at least he'd be away from the rest of decent society. The costs of keeping a prisoner in prison are ridiculous alright

V.W.L 11

I am pie wrote: »

Hang on, someone with previous and convicted of violent disorder or assault causing harm gets a 12 month sentence turned into 120 hours and you get 120 hours for a minor road traffic offence.

Seriously, what did you do? Ram a garda car?

its just the way society is,there could be unknown mitigating factors that the judge was aware of in passing sentence as for what i did it was minor thats about it really

Hedgemeister

Shout Dust wrote: »

Just reading the local papers and see the local scumbag was given 120 hours community service for assault instead of 12 months in prison. Seems like he got away very light, you could do 4 hours a day and have it done in a month while still having your freedom, but what do they actually do on community service? And could they not do it while being imprisoned at the same time?

It involves the convicted one being locked in things called 'Stocks' outside their Village at 07.00 hrs and passers by are encouraged to pelt them with rotten eggs, fruit or anything else disgusting to hand.
There's a sign placed over the culprit's head stating the offence committed i.e. Thief - (or general scumbag)
One in five people are allowed 'round the back of the stocks with a hurley and can adminisiter 'three of the best' to his posterior...under strick supervision, of course.

At 17.00 hrs the convict is forced to eat any left over rotten fruit, eggs, etc for supper....

Ahh, the good old days

leahwechat

Maybe it means that you should be a volunteer to do some community service.