Got booked...

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I didn't state he would recieve such punishment.

Quite frankly I agree that he was brought to the police station. The officer saw a chance to set him up for a quick lesson and to help him; before he becomes one of the 'regulars'.

Also, intent has very little to do with ones charges. Espeically saying that you were only joking. Intent may help in sentencing, however.

But I agree, there probably weren't any charges laid; and if there is, I don't see anything more than a program attendence order, if even that. We just want to treat this one issue, and let him advance in life.

It just doesn't sound like a crime that would be sent be taken down to the police station. Did they do all the necessary things? finger prints, photos etc.It does not constitute a violent crime.

If you don't even get charged with something, how can they tell you to do anything?

Lol, the Queen. Actually you're quite right, our (Canadian) legal system was pretty much set up to punish those who "disturb the Queens peace" although now it's more based on disturbing the society as a whole.Interesting side note: Unlike in other parts of the world, the victim has no choice to drop the charges against the offender, since the crown is punishing the offender for commiting the crime against SOCIETY, not the victim.

It does not constitute a violent crime.Either it's a crime or it's not a crime. If you're arrested, you get charged with a crime, or vice-versa. If that happens, you get fingerprinted, etc. It doesn't matter whether it's wire fraud, murder, or whatever.On the other hand, if it's a civil infraction, then it's handled more like jaywalking or a speeding ticket.

Authority under the law. You can be arrested or detained without warrent on suspicion of committing a crime, or for public or the offenders safety. All in all, don't be a smartass to anyone in the criminal justice system. I work with these morons, because they can't shut up in front of a cop or judge.

Hmm - I think that's called "Hot Pursuit"?

Not always, Steve.If it's non violent or quite minor, then they may release you with a promise to appear.

You can be arrested or detained without warrent on suspicion of committing a crimeUnder the U.S. Constitution, you can't be arrested without being charged, and the detention possibilities are very limited, unless you're a foreigner. If you are, you can be declared an enemy combatant and sent to a gulag or shipped off to another country to be tortured.I realize that Canada is not the U.S., but if you're not charged with something, which might then give you the opportuinity to make a plea deal, how can they tell you what to do?I hope they give people options other than 12-step God-centered programs when it does come to that.

> If it's non violent or quite minor, then they may release you with a promise to appear.

I'm not saying that they'd throw you in a cell. I'm saying that they'd arrest you and book you. Otherwise, what would you be appearing for, and how would they find you?

Aren't jaywalking and speeding crimes, not civil matters? They are of course misdemeanours rather than felonies, though that strikes me as a particularly US distinction.If someone is not sure if he has been charged, either he hasn't, or it hasn't been done properly. However, he could be charged later. But whether a formal charge, or something else, is likely in the circumstances needs someone with local experience.Here, with a young offender and a minor offence, the police often tell them they are 'on probation', when what they are really saying is 'this is a warning'. Sometimes they pretend there is a formal probation with an expiry date, but it is all extra-legal.

Aren't jaywalking and speeding crimes, not civil matters? They are of course misdemeanours rather than felonies, though that strikes me as a particularly US distinction.Not in the U.S. Jaywalking and common speeding fall under the civil code, civil ordinances. U.S. and Canada share common law, but I don't know how it works outside the U.S.I realize that you can be held in custody for a long time in England without being charged (just ask anyone from Northern Ireland who remembers the "Troubles"), but the OP is in the opposite situation.

In the UK you can be held for, generally speaking, 14 days without being charged.Jaywalking is not a crime here either, you can cross wherever you want as long as it is safe to do so. The exception is motorways which are generally 3+lanes with speeds of 70-90mph but are usually well out of the way anyhow..

In the UK you can be held for, generally speaking, 14 days without being charged.Can you imagine how abused something like that would get in the U.S.?> Jaywalking is not a crime hereEven in central London?

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In the UK you can be held for, generally speaking, 14 days without being charged.

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Sheesh, So much for the Habeas Corpus Acts!

However, I imagine that is in regards to terrorism, otherwise it would be spitting over hundreds of years of legal tradition.

Actually the US runs under the Civil Law system. The province of Quebec in Canada also practices Civil Law (As does France)The rest of Canada uses the British Common Law. The big difference being that common law MUST use previous cases as the basis for a decision, whereas Civil Law you are able to use precedents, as well as legislation.In the end though, we're trying to compare each states/provinces/countries individual law. The OP is from Canada, he falls under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Canadian Criminal Code.I highly doubt anything happened with his rereactional use of pot, nor will the courts blow hundreds of thousands of dollars to go after him. It's a moot issue, but he should take the lesson and warning to heart.

In reply to:I highly doubt anything happened with his rereactional use of pot, nor will the courts blow hundreds of thousands of dollars to go after him. It's a moot issue, but he should take the lesson and warning to heart.From what I understand of how a situation like the OP's works in Canada, I agree with that.