QLD Received Notice for Obstructing Police - Do I Need a Solicitor?

[blueink]

Hey, I have never been in trouble with the law before or seen the inside of a courthouse. Before I begin I'll give a quick rundown of who I am.

I graduated last year from uni with a bachelor's of mechanical engineering. This led me to get a position with a large company in Toowoomba which I started this week. I am getting married in April and just bought a house last week for the move to Toowoomba.

I went out with a few mates to a hotel on Saturday night for dinner and drinks. We were fairly intoxicated as it was my going away dinner/night out. At 2:30am, my mate began to dance with a cleaner who was cleaning up a mess on the dance floor. This led to security kicking us both out. we were met outside by a team (6) of police.

A couple of them grabbed my mate and arrested him. I was very confused and began to ask them why they were doing this. This led to me being arrested and was given a notice to appear before the court for "obstructing police". Is this something I need a solicitor for?

I feel like the police were on a massive power trip and the correct thing to do would have been to just let us walk home. I felt their actions were completely unnecessary and if anything, they should have given us a notice for public nuisance (being intoxicated). The other thing is the court appearance is in Caboolture, however, i have now moved to Toowoomba for the new job.

What are my best options under Criminal Law?

P.S. The officer also put the wrong postcode on the court notice. I don't know if this is something that can void the court notice as it has the wrong information on it?

Thank you for your help

 

[sammy01]

You might get a section 10 bond. It is not a criminal conviction. Your best bet is to plead guilty and ask for the bond. It might be cheaper to get a solicitor to show up and represent you in absentia.

 

[blueink]

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the ignorance but what's the consequences of a section 10 bond? Also is there a greater chance of me getting delt with harder if I have a solicitor represent me in absentia because I'm not there?

 

[Tim W]

Hey, I have never been in trouble with the law before or seen the inside of a court house. Before i begin ill give a quick rundown of who i am. I graduated last year from uni with a bachelors of mechanical engineering. This led me to get a position with a large company in Toowoomba which i started this week. I am getting married in april and just bought a house last week for the move to Toowoomba. I went out with a few mates to a hotel on saturday night for dinner and drinks. we were fairly intoxicated as it was my going away dinner/night out. at 2:30am my mate began to dance with a cleaner who was cleaning up a mess on the dance floor. This led to security kicking us both out. we were met outside by a team (6) of police. a couple of them grabbed my mate and arrested him. I was very confused and began to ask them why they were doing this. This led to me being arrested and given a notice to appear before the court for "obstructing police". Is this something i need a solicitor for? I feel like the police where on a massive power trip and the correct thing to do would have been to just let us walk home. I felt there actions where completely unnecessary and if anything they should have given us a notice for public nuisance (being intoxicated). The other thing is the court appearance is in caboolture however i have now moved to toowoomba for the new job.. what are my best options?

Yes, you need a solicitor.

ps. The officer also put the wrong postcode on the court notice. I dont know if this is something that can void the court notice as it has the wrong information on it?

Thank you for your help

Nah. That notice is valid.