Bonfire Night is almost upon us where the night sky will be brought alive by the vibrant explosions of noise and colour, but as always, lurking in the background is a risk that failing to deal with fireworks safely & responsibly can bring you to the attention of the Police.

But in criminal law, sometimes a simple act of contrition, genuine remorse and communicated, can alter a case outcome significantly. A timely admission and expression of sorrow can make the difference between a formal resolution such as caution or charge, and persuade the police to consider an out of court community resolution.

For all offenders, a prison sentence is a grim reality, a punishment that must be served, often impacting not only on a single individual but in many cases their family. So, when the day of release comes, it is a significant moment, the door on punishment closed and a time to draw a line under the past and move on.

Many people convicted before Magistrates feel aggrieved at the outcome, and wish to consider an appeal. A grievance may arise because they think that their case was not prepared correctly, or that the court reached the wrong result.

The government is planning to introduce legislation which will increase the maximum custodial sentence for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The current limit is six months’ imprisonment, but the new proposals would raise it to five years.

This article examines drones and the legal framework which governs their usage as far as criminal laws are concerned. It focuses on drones which are available to the public and looks at potential risks, the relevant law, one’s responsibilities as a drone owner and further caveats for particular types of drone use. Legal disclaimer: It does not constitute legal advice.