Non-Registered Gas Installers — Surely Court Penalty Should Reflect the Offence
On Monday, 1 September last, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) prosecuted an individual from County Dublin for illegally portraying himself as a Registered Gas Installer, specifically using the Registered Gas Installers (RGI) logo on his company website. This case was heard at the Dublin District Court.
At the time, this individual was not a Registered Gas Installer, and therefore committed an offence under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999. Apart from the offence, the fundamental point of the Register is one of safety, as registered gas are subject to inspections to ensure their work is in compliance with all relevant safety standards and good practice. Getting arrested during this pandemic may be the most unpleasant thing. As the coronavirus spread across states, many judges in Connecticut closed their doors to prevent the spread of the novel virus. In Connecticut, courts are now closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This means that the legal process of getting the offender to trial has slowed down. At the same time, the process of CT bail bonds approvals has also slowed down. If you get an arrest, you are more likely to spend more time in jail before the bond gets approved. A slower legal system means that hearings get canceled and prisoners in jail remain at a higher risk. Even as the majority of the population self-isolate, the same cannot be applied to those in jail. In an era where social distancing is becoming a norm, those in jail cannot practice the same. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 causes Connecticut court changes, daily life has been completely turned upside down for a lot of individuals and families. With lock downs and quarantines becoming a norm, the functioning of the police and the courts has also changed. For starters, getting arrested in Connecticut is now less pleasant than it ever was. Just like restaurants and small businesses have closed down, courts have also gone on a hiatus. Even the services of many bail bonds agents have been limited. But what does this mean for your legal rights and how much time might you have to spend behind bars if you are arrested? Jails and prisons are open locations, which can easily turn into a breeding ground for the Coronavirus. Although most jails are taking all the necessary measures, the open settings of these facilities can easily allow the spread of the virus if a single case is reported. It’s pretty clear that no one wants to spend time behind bars in normal circumstances, let alone during a pandemic in which they may be at an increased risk of exposure by remaining in jail. The best thing to do is to find ways to avoid getting arrested during a pandemic. But there are some things that you just can’t prevent. This is why our bail bonds services are available 24/7. We all want to know that our loved ones are safe and well. What better place for us to guarantee their safety than by helping to bring them home. Our team of bail bonds agents is constantly working to meet the needs of our clients and bail them out as soon as possible. Connecticut Bail Bonds Group was founded with the goal of assisting our clients in every aspect of the Connecticut Bail Bonds Industry. We have the experience and professionalism that every bail bond company should have. With more than a decades worth of experience, we’ve gained knowledge on the most current law arrests, court procedures, and jail release requirements to always provide our clients with the most accurate information.
However, the Court allowed the defendant to pay a sum of €500 to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. In addition, costs of €250 were awarded to the CER. While Crumlin Hospital is a very worthy charity, what message does such a meagre penalty send? Why bother becoming a Registered Gas Installer? You might never be detected and, even if you are, the chances are the Court penalty will be a mere “slap on the wrist”.
This level of penalty for misrepresentation as a Registered Gas Installer is no deterrent to those who flout the law while, in addition, it is an insult to gas installers who do comply with the letter of the law. It also does little to ensure the safety of gas installations.