Does anyone know if the ban meter ever runs down after being caught botting (a specific time frame)? 

 

I ask this due to the fact that one of my friends meters seems to have "reset" after a few months while my other friend still has his after being "on high alert" for far longer. 

 

Another question...recently my friend (yes I have a lot of friends who bot) who had previously received a 2 day ban was caught again. He however was not perma ban and instead has to wait for a period of 16 days. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

 

Strange things happening in the land of Jagex.

No. It says there forever unless your offences get successfully appealed.

My friend did appeal but it was unsuccessful. Possibly a mess up on Jagex's part?

Depends what he bots.

If its seen as goldfarming it would have been permaban.

He was caught at rock crabs I believe. 

The most strikes I've seen is 3 I believe, often times it's two.

First ban is 48 hour, and second ban is perm.

 

Meter doesn't go down unless you appeal and it gets accepted, however Jagex ignore all botting/RWT appeals so there is an extremely small chance for that to happen.

 

You also often times get a rollback after a ban on the skill(s) you were botting.