breaking the law?

[creak165]

hi, please could anyone help? i got arrested on the weekend for pulling out a knife on a lad who started on me for no reason, and was trying whack me round the head with a metal dog chain, first insticts was to pull out the knife and try scare him off! but the boys in blue pulled up and i was carted off while the lad who started the whole thing got de - arrested, does anyone have any ideas what might happen to me? will i get a fine? community service? tagged? ASBO`D? or even a sentence?

[TallPaul]

Sentenced, hopefully.

[Matt001]

if the lad wants to press charges for threat or something it could be bad but if he doesnt you will be let go i would think..

[The Truth]

You will probably get away with a warning.

To be honest you shouldn't have had the knife in the first place. I know you will say it was for protection - you might as well have had a gun (same difference).

Until everyone starts acting like humans again instead of animals we won't get out of this 'knife culture'.

[Glamorganer]

All of the above are possible mate, see a solicitor.

Its your own fault for carrying a knife, the other guy had a dog chain so can say he just happened to be carrying the chain as he was going to be walking a dog. whereas u are going to find it hard to explain how u were carrying a knife around with no intent of causing harm.

End of the day the sentence your going to get will depend on where u get tried magistrates or crown court, (6 months in jail or community orders like asbos and taggin are the most a magistrate can give) and the seriousness of the crime and any past convictions u have and how u reacted when stopped by the police

[Bob M]

40 years of solitary confinment.

[escrimeur228]

Considering you were attacked first and the attacker was using a weapon, pulling a knife could constitute self defence. As long as the weapon is legal in your state, I don't see how you can be charged with anything.

Also, since the guy who attacked you did so for no reason and with a dog chain, he is probably uncultured and likely not wealthy. This would mean he would be unable to afford a good lawyer if you press charges and would have to rely on a crappy public defender. For this reason, it is unlikely he will press charges (if an investigation occurs it looks like he would be screwed too).

[thurmarshboy]

They are likely to come down on you pretty hard for carrying a knife. Talk to your solicitor but You are likely to be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law....I take it your up for assault with a deadly weapon? Intent to cause GBH? etc...

They will want to make an example of you. Unless your lawyer has a good mitigating case I would prepare yourself for a custodial sentence.

[tinkerbell]

I dont know, but knife crime is huge in the UK at the moment, and so you could be in serious trouble.

You should never carry a knife! Its a danger to everyone else and people that are innocent.

[andrew c]

in the current 'climate' of knife crime you will be hopefully sentenced for threatening behaviour with an illegal weapon. sounds harsh considering your story of events but you can't go around with a knife in your pocket and you gave the lad with the chain and the police the impression you would use it.no doubt if you feel you were right to carry a knife to 'defend 'yourself if you get away with it this time you will use it next time or eventually acquire a firearm.