Restorative justice report. What is it?

Campingplaces

I have to do a restorative justice report for drug possession. Does anybody know what is involved in this?

I looked it up and it seems to be for meeting the victims of the crime committed by the offender and making amends. I don't understand how it is relevant in a drug possession case.

How long should it take and what kind of things will I be asked to do?

Beano

My experience of this is from the UK but restorative justice only concerns those directly affected by a crime. I cant think who that might be in a drug possession case.

Little CuChulainn

A report for who?

Campingplaces

I have been asked to do the report and provide it in court. I am in court for drug possession (€50 worth)

I don't understand how it is relevant in a drug possession case, it seems to be about letting the culprit show that they are sorry for the crime committed and they have tried to provide some sort of apology or contribution towards the victim

Little CuChulainn

It's an odd one. But of course, drugs are never really a victimless crime. People in the likes of Mexico are murdered, tortured and enslaved so that people in the First World can get their highs. Even on a national level, that money you pay for drugs supports organised crime which leads to trouble for many people. People like Shane Geoghegan die as gangs fight to win the right to supply people like you. That's just my opinion though.

Campingplaces

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

It's an odd one. But of course, drugs are never really a victimless crime. People in the likes of Mexico are murdered, tortured and enslaved so that people in the First World can get their highs. Even on a national level, that money you pay for drugs supports organised crime which leads to trouble for many people. People like Shane Geoghegan die as gangs fight to win the right to supply people like you. That's just my opinion though.

Who exactly is people like me?

I agree that in certain cases buying drugs can support organised crime, however, if I buy some weed off a person who grows it and sells to a small group of people I don't really see who the victims are. There's no Mexicans getting killed for that, there's no gang crime, there's nobody over dosing, there's no torture or enslavement

Little CuChulainn

Campingplaces wrote: »

Who exactly is people like me?

I agree that in certain cases buying drugs can support organised crime, however, if I buy some weed off a person who grows it and sells to a small group of people I don't really see who the victims are. There's no Mexicans getting killed for that, there's no gang crime, there's nobody over dosing, there's no torture or enslavement

People like you as in people who buy drugs. It's truly amazing how many people, particularly on Boards, only buy from a guy who grows his own. Makes you wonder if anyone actually buys from grow houses and criminal gangs at all.

Campingplaces

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

People like you as in people who buy drugs. It's truly amazing how many people, particularly on Boards, only buy from a guy who grows his own. Makes you wonder if anyone actually buys from grow houses and criminal gangs at all.

I think it's usually younger people who buy from random dealers/gangs as they don't know as many people in the business. When you get older and gain more connections its usually not too difficult to find a grower and it also usually means a cheaper price and more consistent quality

Pat Mustard

Campingplaces wrote: »

I have been asked to do the report and provide it in court. I am in court for drug possession (€50 worth)

Who asked you to do this, OP?

Victor

Campingplaces wrote: »

Who exactly is people like me?

I agree that in certain cases buying drugs can support organised crime, however, if I buy some weed off a person who grows it and sells to a small group of people I don't really see who the victims are. There's no Mexicans getting killed for that, there's no gang crime, there's nobody over dosing, there's no torture or enslavement

If this report is for the purposes of obtaining the benefit of the Probation Act or for mitigation in sentencing, you are going about it the wrong way. You are not demonstrating remorse or an understanding of the wider problems of drug use.

Drug usage has health, safety, social and socio-economic effects as well as criminal justice related ones ones.

Campingplaces

Victor wrote: »

If this report is for the purposes of obtaining the benefit of the Probation Act or for mitigation in sentencing, you are going about it the wrong way. You are not demonstrating remorse or an understanding of the wider problems of drug use.

Drug usage has health, safety, social and socio-economic effects as well as criminal justice related ones ones.

Yes that is why I have been asked to do it, probation act.

I do understand there are many problems related to drug use, I just don't really understand who the victim is in this case and so don't understand how an RJR is relevant or what I am being asked to do. I thought that it was used when I violent crime is committed and the offender tries to understand why it was wrong and apologise or compensate the victim in some way.

Also I am not trying to defend the use of drugs, I was just trying to defend myself and "people like me" when someone accused us of being mexican murderers. In this case no Mexican was tortured or killed so "people like me" could get high. Apologies if I am not being remorseful enough but I don't feel like boards.ie is the place to demonstrate my remorse

Ken.

I'm probably way off but maybe the judge is tarring every drug user with the one brush and is assuming you stole to feed your habit. Maybe that's who your to apologize to. ut like I said I'm probably way off.

Pro Hoc Vice

Campingplaces wrote: »

Yes that is why I have been asked to do it, probation act.

I do understand there are many problems related to drug use, I just don't really understand who the victim is in this case and so don't understand how an RJR is relevant or what I am being asked to do. I thought that it was used when I violent crime is committed and the offender tries to understand why it was wrong and apologise or compensate the victim in some way.

Also I am not trying to defend the use of drugs, I was just trying to defend myself and "people like me" when someone accused us of being mexican murderers. In this case no Mexican was tortured or killed so "people like me" could get high. Apologies if I am not being remorseful enough but I don't feel like boards.ie is the place to demonstrate my remorse

Paranoid much. You did not have to defend yourself, the poster was just answering your question. Whoever the DJ is just wants you to understand the wider issues with drugs and drug use. What ever your view of "ethical" drug crime or for that matter mine, the DJ is giving you an opportunity to walk away without a conviction. You can either accept that option give what's expected and you have been given some good advice or you can say stuff you I don't believe my offending causes any issues and take the consequences.

Campingplaces

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Paranoid much. You did not have to defend yourself, the poster was just answering your question. Whoever the DJ is just wants you to understand the wider issues with drugs and drug use. What ever your view of "ethical" drug crime or for that matter mine, the DJ is giving you an opportunity to walk away without a conviction. You can either accept that option give what's expected and you have been given some good advice or you can say stuff you I don't believe my offending causes any issues and take the consequences.

I do agree with your point and I think I was being a bit defensive. I just didn't like being labeled as "people like me" as I have understood for a long time how buying drugs can contribute to organised crime etc. and try to avoid it.

Do you know what is involved in an RJR? My lawyer did not seem to know what is involved. I was told I might have to go for an interview and that is it. I have rang the probation service and am still waiting on information and instructions but have been told it might take a while as they are very backed up. They said they would get back to me. I am not trying to turn this into a debate on how to ethically buy drugs. I am just trying to understand what is being asked of me, how long it will take, etc.

Pat Mustard

So is it a probation report that you mean?

Campingplaces

It is a restorative justice report which is done by a probation officer as far as I understand

Beano

"by a probation officer" or "for a probation officer"?

Campingplaces

Beano wrote: »

"by a probation officer" or "for a probation officer"?

I think by a probation officer but I'm not entirely sure. The only info I have is what my lawyer told me and he wasn't very sure either. I was told to ring the probation service and check. Probation service said they would get back to me with info about a week ago