You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
As part of an impending prosecution I've been in invited to meet the bloke who stole my car a few months ago. apparently it's part of New Zealand law now that victims of crime are offered what they call 'restorative justice' So I get to meet this bloke and tell him how he has affected my life by stealing my car. Trouble is apart from some minor inconvenience and the loss of a few things that were in the car at the time the insurance company sorted everything out, provided me with a courtesy car and fixed my own car before I got it back.
So because I don't feel hugely affected by this event I'm indifferent about participating except that although it is (technically voluntary) I am being encouraged to participate because research shows that when offenders meet their victims and hear these impact accounts face to face they are much less likely to reoffend. Should I be so presumptuous as to think meeting with him could help him stay out of trouble in the future? In some ways I feel that I'm being asked to make a much bigger deal of what I see as a low level crime so someone within the management of the justice system can tick a few boxes.
Anyone with any experience of this sort of thing or willing to share a point of view that may help
Thanks in advance
I would. Because I'd have been upset by the theft in the first place despite having been compensated. I'd definitely talk to him and try to connect and make a difference.
Shank the mofo.
Go along and see how bad you can make him feel. That's what I'd do because I'm a right bastard.
I’d go along too.
Vent out all those uptight, teeth gnawing, indiscretions that have lain unheard over that last years upon the offender.
Then, whilst he’s wearing them, wee in his shoes.
Spin it out.
You were facing redundancy at work and you had a meeting that day to decide the outcome. Because he stole your car you missed the meeting and were let go. The resulting money worries led to depression which put stress on your marriage and your wife cheated on you and ended up kicking you out. Homeless and unemployed you turned to the streets as you had nowhere else to go. Soon you fell prey to the drug pushers. Shooting up heroin and smoking crack, besides offering temporary relief, has really had an impact on your health, which also took a hit with the STI's you got whilst working as a male prostitute to fund your new drug habit.
I'd go and I'd explain to him that if I'd seen him doing it I'd likely (because I'm an idiot) have challenged him and the end result would be that one of us may well have been badly hurt ... and the other one facing far bigger charges than the one he's on now
and yeah, that your wife/child/baby robin daren't go near the car in the dark/on their own any more because they fear there's a thief hiding nearby
I like it as a concept, I'd go .
No effect on your premiums?
Seems like a good idea generally though, although possibly not in this case (if you are honest about things)
Just go along and make up a story about a baby child robins face or something 👍
I've taken this option (here in the UK) after someone assaulted me over a parking space 2 years ago. I had already parked and this guy cornered me as I walked towards a shop saying I'd tried to ram him out of the way. CCTV showed I hadn't. I'd never heard of it before but it was offered as it was basically my word against his as the actual assault occurred just out of view of the car park security camera. It was a complete waste of time.
The guy who assaulted me had been fine with the officer investigating before the meeting, saying he would be apologetic etc, basically making all the right noises. Once we were in the room together with the officer he was very standoffish and refused to apologise, shake hands and even started to pin the blame on me. No resolution occurred by the end of it and the officer had to basically apologise to me for wasting my time, even saying she was shocked at how aggressive he'd been.
So basically I think it's a waste of time as it allows people to essentially get away with things by making the right noises in a room without any fear of things getting worse. It may work for some cases, first offenders or people doing something out of character for example but I won't be taking it as an option if I ever have to make that decision again.
It's used in the UK too but more with young offenders.
Mrs Feet works on the Youth Offending team and for a lot of kids, first offences etc. With kids it has a good success rate. Teaches the little darlings the error of their ways...
As part of an impending prosecution
Has he admitted it? AFAIK in the UK this sort of thing is only used as an alternative to prosecution when the accused is not disputing it. Milky's experienced may imply I am wrong:
It was a complete waste of time.
But my understanding was what should happen in the sort of scenario he describes is that the alternative has not been engaged with and the matter would then be referred to court for the traditional process. It may be theory and reality don't match, or the system is not universal, or just that those who dealt with Milky didn't explain what next.
Just go along and tell him you're not that bothered, you got your revenge after sleeping with his mum. Etc etc etc
Goad him into doing more time.
I'd go. I wouldn't lie or make up the impact it has had, but it has had an impact even if in your words it was mildly inconvenient.
But i would make the point that it wasn't by choice, he didn't know that and he didn't give a shit about the impact or inconvenience. It could have been a parent unable to collect a kid from school, or the belongings taken could have been very important to the person, and so on. The fact you don't care that much doesn't lessen the effect his actions could have, and he should think on that next time.
In a way you are representing all victims of this sort of crime here, not just you.
Perhaps you could think about it as your civil duty to participate. You might be cool with it, but what about the next person ? The point here is to help prevent re-offending, that has to be for social good ?
I would be very curious personally, but I am quite nosy about people.
You were facing redundancy at work and you had a meeting that day to decide the outcome. Because he stole your car you missed the meeting and were let go. The resulting money worries led to depression which put stress on your marriage and your wife cheated on you and ended up kicking you out. Homeless and unemployed you turned to the streets as you had nowhere else to go. Soon you fell prey to the drug pushers. Shooting up heroin and smoking crack, besides offering temporary relief, has really had an impact on your health, which also took a hit with the STI’s you got whilst working as a male prostitute to fund your new drug habit.
Blimey, that all sounds a bit autobiographical. You OK hun? 🙂
It was pushed during my time working with the YOS. Mainly it only wentvas far as the YP writing a letter of apology.
To have a face to face between YP and victim took a lot of work because the last thing you want is for the victim to start having a go at the YP, or the YP kicking off and scaring the victim even more ... hence face to faces were very rare; I only involved in 1 in about 4 years.
Guess my idea of restorative justice is a "little different" to this definition.....
Guess my idea of restorative justice is a “little different” to this definition…..
Is that internet-regulation-issue hardman stuff?
Nope - that’s the old school, biblical sort of “eye for an eye/thou shall not steal” stuff.
Ah, cool - the internet-regulation-issue hardman stuff.
Does that mean that he’ll just steal the car thief’s car? What if he doesn’t own one? Man, being a biblical restorative justice practitioner sounds like a lot of stress.