Intoxication in public fine

Sahil123

So a couple of weeks ago, I did something stupid and took a plant from in front of a restaurant. Now it wasn't like a big expensive one or anything, just a normal plant and I did it while a had a few on a night out. So anyway the guards stopped me and asked me what I was doing. So I told them I was just messing around, I apologised like a million times and put the plant back where I found it. I was complying with them in everything they said and did and on the end they told me on would have to pay a 40 euro fine. So I told them my name, what I do in college, my address my number the whole lot.

Just today I received a letter the guards saying I've to pay a 100 euro fine. I think that that's crazy for something so small. I wasn't aggressive and I didn't damage anything. I have friends who did worse and got let go with no charges or fines.

Do ye think this is excessive? Anyway I can appeal this or is it even worth doing that?

Zambia

Sahil123 wrote: »

So a couple of weeks ago, I did something stupid and took a plant from in front of a restaurant. Now it wasn't like a big expensive one or anything, just a normal plant and I did it while a had a few on a night out. So anyway the guards stopped me and asked me what I was doing. So I told them I was just messing around, I apologised like a million times and put the plant back where I found it. I was complying with them in everything they said and did and on the end they told me on would have to pay a 40 euro fine. So I told them my name, what I do in college, my address my number the whole lot.

Just today I received a letter the guards saying I've to pay a 100 euro fine. I think that that's crazy for something so small. I wasn't aggressive and I didn't damage anything. I have friends who did worse and got let go with no charges or fines.

Do ye think this is excessive? Anyway I can appeal this or is it even worth doing that?

That's a pittance in Melbourne the fine is 410 euro.

Plants are not cheap and but for the gardai the business would be replacing it the next morning out of running costs.

Seriously you have f:;k all to complain about here.

Sahil123

Zambia wrote: »

That's a pittance in Melbourne the fine is 410 euro.

Plants are not cheap and but for the gardai the business would be replacing it the next morning out of running costs.

Seriously you have f:;k all to complain about here.

Ah no I would have put it back like.... And as well that plant wouldn't go for more than 10-20 euro I'm sure of it

Beano

Suck it up and pay the fine. Would you rather the garda had summonsed you instead?

cursai

Not at all excessive. If you feel the burn its just right.

Beano

Are you sure he said 40 and not 140? The fine for disorderly conduct is 140. the fine for being drunk is 100. It seems more likely that he said 140 and took pity on you and only fined you for being drunk.

irishgrover

with respect, you were not fined in relation to the cost of the actual or potential cost of any damage to property due to your actions. It was in relation to being intoxicated in public. Basically, it's a fine for being and ass and a general nuisance, acting the bollix unnecessarily etc. Your actions generally go against what is deemed acceptable by society and you are being punished for it, I guess there is a bit of a deterrent element to the fine - ie stop being an ass, it will cost you.
Personally I don't think it is excessive.
Please also note very sincerely, that I am not trying to judge you here, I personally have done much worse without being caught or punished (I'm cringing now just thinking about what am ass I've been in the past)

So to answer your direct questions: I don't think it is excessive and sorry don't know if it is possible to appeal, but I'm guessing that would risk court appearances, potential legal costs, potential increased punishment etc. Best of luck with whatever you end of doing

Little CuChulainn

You are being given a chance to avoid a court appearance with the smallest penalty allowable. You don't have to take it. You can ignore the fine and go to court instead.

Sahil123

Alright, it seems that I am going to have to pay the fine and it's probably my best option now. I did something stupid and I have to pay for it. I suppose it's only fair. The only problem is that money is scarce. Is there any way I could do public/community service instead of paying the fine?

Beano

Sahil123 wrote: »

Alright, it seems that I am going to have to pay the fine and it's probably my best option now. I did something stupid and I have to pay for it. I suppose it's only fair. The only problem is that money is scarce. Is there any way I could do public/community service instead of paying the fine?

to do that you would have to go to court.

MarkAnthony

You could do a couple of days in the joy in default (after going to court and receiving a larger fine and a criminal record of course), I'm sure they'll 'love' a nice college lad in there for a couple of days.

OP if you can afford to get drunk to the point that you're interfering with the local flora and fauna you can afford the fine. A few nights sat in doing your college work is not going to kill you. Learn from this, you obviously don't know your limits - next time you might end up on a low level charge and end up with a criminal record.

Beano

MarkAnthony wrote: »

You could do a couple of days in the joy in default (after going to court and receiving a larger fine and a criminal record of course), I'm sure they'll 'love' a nice college lad in there for a couple of days.

OP if you can afford to get drunk to the point that you're interfering with the local flora and fauna you can afford the fine. A few nights sat in doing your college work is not going to kill you. Learn from this, you obviously don't know your limits - next time you might end up on a low level charge and end up with a criminal record.

To be fair there is no indication that he interfered with the local fauna.

MarkAnthony

Beano wrote: »

To be fair there is no indication that he interfered with the local fauna.

Did you ask her?

Beano

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Did you ask her?

I have no idea what you are trying to get at.

Sahil123

Right to clear things up, I wasn't even that bad. It was just a dare, I didn't think anything would come off it so I did it. I was definitely not very drunk. Yes, I had a few drinks but there were other out that were so much worse than I was. I did do something stupid and if I had known the consequences I definitely would not have done it. I honestly didn't think it would be a big deal but it apparently is.

Anyway I paid the fine so thats the end of that.

MarkAnthony

Beano wrote: »

I have no idea what you are trying to get at.

It was a very poor attempt at a joke set up in my first post.

Sahil123 wrote: »

Right to clear things up, I wasn't even that bad. It was just a dare, I didn't think anything would come off it so I did it. I was definitely not very drunk. Yes, I had a few drinks but there were other out that were so much worse than I was. I did do something stupid and if I had known the consequences I definitely would not have done it. I honestly didn't think it would be a big deal but it apparently is.

Anyway I paid the fine so thats the end of that.

OP Kudos to you for not using drunkenness as an excuse. While I'm not sure it makes it better or worse, the fact remains the fine was for being drunk. I again say to you, as someone who did far worse in my student days under the influence of a few Sherrys (another joke as they're so bad they need pointing out) know your limit; you'll be better off in relation to your health, wallet and find you get laid more.

While I'm doling out turd... er pearls of wisdom - someone else is always going to be doing something worse than you when you get caught doing anything. It's sods law.

Beano

MarkAnthony wrote: »

It was a very poor attempt at a joke set up in my first post.

*blush* bit slow today

MarkAnthony

Beano wrote: »

*blush* bit slow today

To be fair it was a crap joke :pac: