What is a Field Court Attendance Notice (FCAN)?

A Field Court Attendance Notice (FCAN) is designed primarily as an alternative to immediate arrest. It allows law enforcement officers to issue a notice that requires the individual to attend court at a later date rather than taking them into custody on the spot. This practice helps to streamline the legal process and can reduce the number of individuals who are immediately incarcerated for offenses that might not warrant such a response. The purpose of a FCAN is to ensure that individuals can still be held accountable for their actions while allowing them the opportunity to resolve the matter in court without the need for immediate detention. This can lead to increased resource efficiency for law enforcement and the judicial system while still adhering to legal protocols.

In contrast, the other options describe different concepts not applicable to FCAN. Formal charges refer to the legal accusation made after a full investigation, which would not be a part of the FCAN process. A warning issued during a traffic stop does not give rise to a court appearance but rather serves to inform the driver of an infraction. Lastly, a court summary issued after trial pertains to the documentation that arises from a trial’s conclusion, which is unrelated to the initial notice issued to an individual prior to a court appearance.