Wrongful arrests and summons

Criminal Justice Council did not have the information requested.

michelle carvill

Dear Criminal Justice Council,

I am particularly interested in finding out the number of wrongful arrests and summons served.

I recently received a summons for my arrest for a shoplifting fine which took place in a different part of the country and which was nothing to do with me. Someone had given my maiden name, and address (of 19 years ago) to the police.

It appears that no checks were undertaken - and that I was then tracked down and had to sign a statutory declaration and the case continues.

I am interested in the number of these incidents that occur in the UK on an annual basis.

Also interested in the number of arrests where no checks are undertaken to qualify the details given.

Yours faithfully,

michelle carvill

Data Access & Compliance Unit,

Freedom of Information Request FOI/66184/10

Data Access & Compliance Unit
Information Directorate
Zone 6 B
Post point 6.25
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ

F 020 3334 2245
E [email address]

www.justice.gov.uk

14-JUL-10 Our Ref:FOI/66184/10

Dear Ms Carvill,

SUBJECT: Freedom of Information Request

Thank you for your correspondence of July 9, 2010, in which you asked
for information relating to the number of wrongful arrests and summons
served under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) from the
Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

You will receive a response from us by August 5, 2010. Your request has
been passed to the appropriate business unit within the MoJ, and they
will write to you with their decision by this date.

The FOIA does provide a number of exemptions. A qualified exemption
requires that before relying on it we must consider the public interest
test. If the information you have requested is covered by a qualified
exemption(s) under FOIA, the Department is allowed to take longer than
20 working days to respond. This is because in such circumstances we are
required to consider the public interest issues when deciding whether or
not to disclose the information requested.

If more time is needed to consider the public interest issues under a
qualified exemption(s), we will write to you and inform you of the
revised date you can expect to receive a response to your request.

If you have any queries regarding this request please do not hesitate to
contact us. Please quote ref: FOI/66184/10 in all future correspondence.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Balding
Data Access and Compliance Unit

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michelle carvill

Dear Data Access & Compliance Unit,

Thank you for the update - await your response.

Yours sincerely,

michelle carvill

Data Access & Compliance Unit,

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Carvill,

Please find attached correspondence relating to your Freedom of
Information request.

Thanks
Kate

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michelle carvill

Dear Data Access & Compliance Unit,

I do believe that you are the correct department to address.

To answer your questions below to qualify my request:

1) Do you require information on the number of people summoned to Court in cases where they were wrongfully arrested and charged? YES

2) Or the number of summons issued for cases where someone is suing for being wrongfully arrested? NO

3) Specifically, I'm not sure if point 1) covers this, but I am interested in how many people are issued a summons for an offence they had no knowledge of - and therefore, had to sign a statutory declaration.

4) The number of statutory declarations authorised per year.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Michelle Carvill

Yours sincerely,

michelle carvill

michelle carvill

Dear Data Access & Compliance Unit,

Hello Kate
I do believe I've already responded to your request for for further clarification as my email dated the 20th July:

See content below:

Dear Data Access & Compliance Unit,

I do believe that you are the correct department to address.

To answer your questions below to qualify my request:

1) Do you require information on the number of people summoned to
Court in cases where they were wrongfully arrested and charged? YES

2) Or the number of summons issued for cases where someone is suing
for being wrongfully arrested? NO

3) Specifically, I'm not sure if point 1) covers this, but I am
interested in how many people are issued a summons for an offence
they had no knowledge of - and therefore, had to sign a statutory
declaration.

4) Therefore, the number of statutory declarations authorised per year.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Michelle Carvill

Miah, Saleyah,

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Carville,

Please find attached the response to the information you requested under
the Freedom of Information.

Kind regards

Saleyah Miah

Statistician

Crown Court & magistrates' courts statistics
Justice Statistics Analytical Services| Ministry of Justice| 7th Floor|
102 Petty France| London| SW1H 9AJ

Tel: 020 3334 2962
Email: [email address]

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