Also arrested........

[richard2009]

Afternoon chaps.

Right, as the title said. Ive read the other post on here in regards to another guy being arrested and although not all the comments came across helpful, there were some useful parts.
Short of it, Sunday night drunk, argument with the misses, got heated, headbutted a door, but the glass panel in it shattered. - now i know this is pathetic, stupid, immature, and possibly not behaviour for someone that is looking to be in the army. But what id like to know is, if i am charged with criminal damage does this prevent you from joining, does the charge have to be spent? ( im not entirley sure on wat this means, someone has mentioned criminal damage lasts 5 years, so id be able to re-apply at the age of 26 ) ?

Its my first offence, first time ive ever been arrested. I was compliant with the police let out early, realised as soon as i did it it was a very big mistake. Im going today after work to try and offer to pay for the damage direct, which hopefully may result int he owners dropping charges.

Anyone have any advice on worst case scenario, if you feel you have to call me a twerp or maybe something a tad stronger go ahead, but the more useful comments would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[EagleEyes]

Can't help you out mate, but hope it all works out for you pal, seem a sound enough fella and everyone has heated moments and does stupid shit.
Good luck mate.

[adambatley]

If the owners dont press charges and you get away with just paying the bill then you will be fine as it only affects you if you have unspent convictions. On the other hand if you are convicted then worst case scenario is that you will be waiting untill your conviction is spent. The amount of time until it is spent depends on what you did and what punishment you get as per the rehabilitation of offenders act. Your AFCO may apply for a waiver if you are convicted but wether or not you get one is down to the powers that be.

[gunner75]

what you have going for you is that you realize what you have done was one of those heat of the moment things and you are first to admit it. Id say it wont go any further, its your 1st offence, you aint hurt anyone and are doing your utmost to pay for damage and get it sorted. I can relate to something similar when a few of my mates from marines were home on leave and we went out on the lash. on the way home we spotted a gate with two enormous lion statues either side of it. we hads to haves thems - so we proceeded to 'take' them. nothing like making life easy them lot. anyway the owner witnessed all this but was too frightened to come out and do anything so low and behold plod rounded us all up the next day. criminal damage and theft was the charge. needless to say the owner was an ex squaddie so true to form he said he would drop the charges and if we paid in full to get it sorted - he would say no more. 2 lions and a gate chucked in for good measure later, we were off the hook.

[_Mark_]

usually 2 strikes,

I had a record, but i'd done the time, and it was old news.
It didn't affect my application, even though, because of the type of offence the recruiting Sgt thought i wouldn't get back in. As it was only one offence i was fine.

So in other words once the conviction has been spent (fine paid/community service done/served time) you should be fine, you'll probably just get a fine or at most 50-80hrs community service.

[MSI64]

All it will mean is you have one unspent conviction mate
Aslong as any fines are paid and any community service is complete!