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Sentencing Act 2020 2020 c. 17 An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to sentencing. [22nd October 2020] Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Propose a change(1) Parts 2 to 13 of this Act together make up a code called the “Sentencing Code”. (2) They deal with the following matters. Before sentencing Part 2 is about powers exercisable by a court before passing sentence. Sentencing Part 3 is about court procedure when sentencing. Part 4 is about the discretion a court has when sentencing. Sentences Part 5 is about absolute and conditional discharges. Part 6 is about orders relating to conduct. Part 7 is about fines and other orders relating to property. Part 8 is about disqualification. Part 9 is about community sentences. Part 10 is about custodial sentences. Part 11 is about behaviour orders. General Part 12 contains miscellaneous and general provision about sentencing. Part 13 deals with interpretation. (3) Part 14 of this Act contains supplementary provision. (4) For other provision that may be relevant in relation to sentencing, see— (a) Criminal Procedure Rules, and (b) sentencing guidelines.
Propose a change(1) The Sentencing Code does not apply where a person is convicted of an offence before 1 December 2020. (2) Accordingly, any provision that corresponds to a provision of the Sentencing Code continues on and after that date to have effect as regards dealing with a person— (a) for an offence of which the person was convicted before that date, and (b) in relation to a sentence passed for an offence of which the person was convicted before that date. (3) Where on or after that date a court is dealing with a person in relation to an offence of which the person was convicted before that date and is required to treat the person as just convicted of the offence, the requirement does not mean that subsection (2) no longer applies.
Propose a change(1) In this Code “deferment order” means an order deferring passing sentence on an offender in respect of one or more offences until the date specified in the order, to enable a court, in dealing with the offender, to have regard to— (a) the offender's conduct after conviction (including, where appropriate, the offender's making reparation for the offence), or (b) any change in the offender's circumstances. (2) A deferment order may impose requirements (“deferment requirements”) as to the offender's conduct during the period of deferment. (3) Deferment requirements may include— (a) requirements as to the residence of the offender during all or part of the period of deferment; (b) restorative justice requirements.
Propose a change(1) A deferment order is available to the Crown Court or a magistrates' court in respect of an offence where— (a) the offender is before the court to be dealt with for the offence, and (b) no previous deferment order has been made in respect of the offence. See also section 11(4) (power of Crown Court to make further deferment order where magistrates' court commits offender for sentence). (2) But a deferment order is not available to a magistrates' court dealing with an offender in respect of an offence for which section 85(1)(a) (compulsory referral conditions) requires the court to make a referral order.
Propose a change(1) A court may make a deferment order in respect of an offence only if— (a) the offender consents, (b) the offender undertakes to comply with any deferment requirements the court proposes to impose, (c) if those requirements include a restorative justice requirement, section 7(2) (consent of participants in restorative justice activity) is satisfied, and (d) the court is satisfied, having regard to the nature of the offence and the character and circumstances of the offender, that it would be in the interests of justice to make the order. (2) The date specified under section 3(1) in the order may not be — (a) more than 6 months after the date on which the order is made, if the offender was convicted of the offence, or any of the offences, before the relevant date, or (b) more than 12 months after the date on which the order is made, if the offender was convicted of the offence, or all of the offences, on or after the relevant date. (2A) In subsection (2) “the relevant date” means the date on which section 5 of the Sentencing Act 2026 came into force. (3) A court which makes a deferment order must forthwith give a copy of the order— (a) to the offender, (b) if it imposes deferment requirements that include a restorative justice requirement, to every person who would be a participant in the activity concerned (see section 7(1)), (c) where an officer of a provider of probation services has been appointed to act as a supervisor, to that provider, and (d) where a person has been appointed under section 8(1)(b) to act as a supervisor, to that person. (4) A court which makes a deferment order may not on the same occasion remand the offender, notwithstanding any enactment.
Propose a change(1) Where a deferment order has been made in respect of an offence, the court which deals with the offender for the offence may have regard to— (a) the offender's conduct after conviction, or (b) any change in the offender's circumstances. (2) The matters to which the court may have regard in dealing with the offender include, in particular— (a) where appropriate, the making by the offender of reparation for the offence, and (b) the extent to which the offender has complied with any deferment requirements. (3) Subsection (4) applies where— (a) the court which made a deferment order proposes to deal with the offender on the date specified in the order, or (b) the offender does not appear on that date. (4) The court may— (a) issue a summons requiring the offender to appear before the court at the time and place specified in the summons, or (b) issue a warrant for the offender's arrest which requires the offender to be brought before the court at the time and place specified in the warrant. (5) Subsection (6) applies where a magistrates' court makes a deferment order. (6) In making the order the court is to be regarded as having adjourned the trial under section 10(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980. Accordingly, sections 11(1) and 13(1) to (3A) and (5) of that Act (non-appearance of the accused) apply if the offender does not appear on the date specified in the deferment order (but this is without prejudice to subsection (4)).
Propose a change(1) Any reference in this Chapter to a restorative justice requirement is to a requirement to participate in an activity— (a) where the participants consist of, or include, the offender and one or more of the victims, (b) which aims to maximise the offender's awareness of the impact of the offending concerned on the victims, and (c) which gives an opportunity to a victim or victims to talk about, or by other means express experience of, the offending and its impact. (2) A restorative justice requirement may not be imposed as a deferment requirement without the consent of every person who would be a participant in the activity. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a supervisor and the offender do not count as proposed participants. (4) A person running an activity for the purposes of a restorative justice requirement must have regard to any guidance issued from time to time by the Secretary of State with a view to encouraging good practice in connection with such an activity. (5) In this section “victim” means a victim of, or other person affected by, the offending concerned.
Propose a changeAppointment of supervisor (1) Where a court makes a deferment order that imposes deferment requirements, it may appoint— (a) an officer of a provider of probation services, or (b) any other person the court thinks appropriate who consents to the appointment, to act as a supervisor in relation to the offender. Function of supervisor (2) A supervisor must— (a) monitor the offender's compliance with the deferment requirements, and (b) provide the court which deals with the offender for any offence in respect of which the order was made with such information as the court may require relating to the offender's compliance with the deferment requirements. Supervisor appointed under subsection (1)(b): power of magistrates' court to issue summons (3) Where— (a) a deferment order imposes deferment requirements, (b) it falls to a magistrates' court to— (i) deal with the offender for any offence in respect of which the order was made, or (ii) determine under section 9(3)(b) whether the offender has failed to comply with a deferment requirement, and (c) a justice of the peace is satisfied that a supervisor appointed under subsection (1)(b)— (i) is likely to be able to give evidence that may assist the court in doing so, and (ii) will not voluntarily attend as a witness, the justice may issue a summons directed to that supervisor requiring the supervisor to attend before the court at the time and place appointed in the summons to give evidence.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where— (a) a court has made a deferment order that imposes deferment requirements, and (b) a supervisor has reported to the court that the offender has failed to comply with one or more of the deferment requirements. (2) The court may issue— (a) a summons requiring the offender to appear before it at the time and place specified in the summons, or (b) a warrant for the offender's arrest which requires the offender to be brought before it at the time and place specified in the warrant. (3) The court may deal with the offender for the offence in respect of which the order was made before the end of the period of deferment if— (a) the offender appears or is brought before the court under subsection (2), and (b) the court is satisfied that the offender has failed to comply with one or more of the deferment requirements. For the powers of the court in dealing with the offender under this subsection, see section 11.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where a court has made a deferment order in respect of an offence. Power of court which made deferment order (2) The court which made the order (“the original court”) may deal with the offender for the offence in respect of which the deferment order was made before the end of the period of deferment if during that period the offender is convicted in Great Britain of any offence. For the powers of the original court in dealing with the offender under this subsection, see section 11. (3) Where the original court proposes to deal with the offender by virtue of subsection (2) before the end of the period of deferment, it may issue— (a) a summons requiring the offender to appear before the court at the time and place specified in the summons, or (b) a warrant for the arrest of the offender, requiring the offender to be brought before the court at the time and place specified in the warrant. Power of court which sentences offender for later offence (4) Subsection (5) applies where during the period of deferment the offender is convicted in England and Wales of any offence (“the later offence”). This is subject to subsection (6). (5) The court which passes sentence on the offender for the later offence may also deal with the offender for the offence or offences in respect of which the deferment order was made (if this has not already been done). For the powers of the court in dealing with the offender under this subsection, see section 11. (6) Subsection (5) does not apply where— (a) the deferment order was made by the Crown Court, and (b) the court which passes sentence on the offender for the later offence is a magistrates' court. (7) Subsection (5)— (a) is without prejudice to subsection (2), and (b) applies whether or not the offender is sentenced for the later offence during the period of deferment.
Propose a change(1) Subsection (2) applies where an offender who is subject to a deferment order is being dealt with for any offence in respect of which the order was made— (a) by the court which made the order (“the original court”)— (i) at the end of the period of deferment, in accordance with the deferment order, (ii) under section 9(3) (failure to comply with deferment requirement), or (iii) under section 10(2) (original court dealing with offender following conviction during period of deferment), or (b) by any court under section 10(5) (conviction during period of deferment: convicting court dealing with offender). (2) The court may deal with the offender for the offence in any way in which the original court could have dealt with the offender for the offence if it had not made a deferment order. (3) Where a magistrates' court is dealing with the offender, its power under that subsection includes, in particular, the power in section 14 to commit the offender to the Crown Court for sentence. (4) Where a magistrates' court deals with the offender by committing the offender to the Crown Court under section 14, the power of the Crown Court to deal with the offender includes the same power to make a deferment order as if the offender had just been convicted of the offence on indictment before it.
Propose a changeNothing in this Chapter affects— (a) the power of the Crown Court to bind over an offender to come up for judgment when called upon, or (b) any other power of a court to defer passing sentence.
Propose a change(1) In this Chapter— “deferment requirement” has the meaning given by section 3(2); “period of deferment”, in relation to a deferment order, means the period from the date on which the deferment order is made until the date specified in the order under section 3(1); “restorative justice requirement” has the meaning given by section 7; “supervisor”, in relation to a deferment order, means a person appointed under section 8(1). (2) In relation to a deferment order made by a magistrates' court, any reference in this Chapter to the court which made the order includes a reference to any magistrates' court acting in the same local justice area as that court.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where— (a) on the summary trial of an offence triable either way a person aged 18 or over is convicted of the offence, and (b) the court is of the opinion that— (i) the offence, or (ii) the combination of the offence and one or more offences associated with it, was so serious that the Crown Court should have the power to deal with the offender in any way it could deal with the offender if the offender had been convicted on indictment. This is subject to the provisions mentioned in subsection (4). (2) The court may commit the offender in custody or on bail to the Crown Court for sentence in accordance with section 21(2). (3) For powers of the court, where it commits a person under subsection (2), also to commit in respect of other offences, see section 20. (4) For offences in relation to which this section does not apply see sections 17D and 33 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (exclusion in respect of certain offences where value involved is small). (5) This section applies to a corporation as if— (a) the corporation were an individual aged 18 or over, and (b) in subsection (2) the words “in custody or on bail” were omitted.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where— (a) on the summary trial of a specified offence (see section 306) triable either way a person aged 18 or over is convicted of the offence, and (b) the court is of the opinion that an extended sentence of detention in a young offender institution or of imprisonment (see section 266 or 279) would be available in relation to the offence. (1A) This section also applies where— (a) on the summary trial of an offence specified in Schedule 17A triable either way a person is convicted of the offence, and (b) the court is of the opinion that the circumstances are such that a serious terrorism sentence (see section 268A or 282A) may be required to be imposed. (2) The court must commit the offender in custody or on bail to the Crown Court for sentence in accordance with section 21(2). (3) For powers of the court, where it commits a person under subsection (2), also to commit in respect of other offences, see section 20. (4) In doing anything under or contemplated by this section, the court is not bound by any indication of sentence given in respect of the offence under section 20 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (procedure where summary trial appears more suitable). (5) Nothing the court does under this section may be challenged or be the subject of any appeal in any court on the ground that it is inconsistent with an indication of sentence. (6) Nothing in this section prevents the court from committing an offender convicted of an offence to the Crown Court for sentence under section 14 or 18 if the provisions of that section are satisfied.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where— (a) on the summary trial of an offence within paragraph (a) or (b) of the table in section 249(1) (offences punishable with imprisonment for 14 years or more and certain sexual offences), a person is convicted of the offence, (b) the person is aged under 18 at the time of conviction, and (c) the court is of the opinion that— (i) the offence, or (ii) the combination of the offence and one or more offences associated with it, was such that the Crown Court should have power to deal with the offender by imposing a sentence of detention under section 250. (2) The court may commit the offender in custody or on bail to the Crown Court for sentence in accordance with section 22(2). (3) For powers of the court, where it commits a person under subsection (2), also to commit in respect of other offences, see section 20.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where— (a) on summary trial of an offence within section 252A(1)(a) or (1A)(a) (offences attracting special sentence for offenders of particular concern), a person is convicted of the offence, (b) the person is aged under 18 at the time of conviction, and (c) the court is of the opinion that— (i) the offence, or (ii) the combination of the offence and one or more offences associated with it, was such that the Crown Court should have power to deal with the offender by imposing a sentence of detention under section 252A for a term of more than two years. (2) The court may commit the offender in custody or on bail to the Crown Court for sentence in accordance with section 22(2). (3) For powers of the court, where it commits a person under subsection (2), also to commit in respect of other offences, see section 20.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where— (a) on the summary trial of a specified offence (see section 306) a person aged under 18 is convicted of the offence, and (b) the court is of the opinion that an extended sentence of detention under section 254 would be available in relation to the offence. (2) The court must commit the offender in custody or on bail to the Crown Court for sentence in accordance with section 22(2). (3) For powers of the court, where it commits a person under subsection (2), also to commit in respect of other offences, see section 20. (4) Nothing in this section prevents the court from committing a person convicted of a specified offence to the Crown Court for sentence under section 16 , 16A or 19 if the provisions of that section are satisfied.
Propose a change(1) Where a magistrates' court— (a) has convicted an offender aged 18 or over of an offence triable either way following an indication of a guilty plea, and (b) has sent the offender to the Crown Court for trial for one or more related offences, it may commit the offender in custody or on bail to the Crown Court to be dealt with in respect of the offence in accordance with section 21(2). (2) For offences in relation to which subsection (1) does not apply, see section 17D of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (cases where value involved is small). (3) Where a magistrates' court— (a) convicts an offender aged 18 or over of an offence triable either way following an indication of a guilty plea, and (b) is still to determine to send, or whether to send, the offender to the Crown Court for trial under section 51 or 51A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, for one or more related offences, it must adjourn the proceedings relating to the offence until after it has made those determinations. (4) Where the court— (a) commits the offender under subsection (1) to the Crown Court to be dealt with in respect of the offence, and (b) in its opinion also has power under section 14(2) or is required under section 15(2) to commit the offender to the Crown Court to be dealt with in respect of the offence, the court may make a statement of that opinion. (5) For powers of the court, where it commits a person under subsection (1), also to commit in respect of other offences, see section 20. (6) For the purposes of this section, a magistrates' court convicts a person of an offence triable either way following an indication of a guilty plea if— (a) the person appears or is brought before the court on an information charging the person with the offence, (b) the person or (where applicable) the person's representative indicates under— (i) section 17A or 17B of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (indication of intention as to plea in case of offence triable either way), or (ii) section 20(7) of that Act (summary trial appears more suitable), that the person would plead guilty if the offence were to proceed to trial, and (c) proceeding as if— (i) section 9(1) of that Act were complied with, and (ii) the person pleaded guilty under it, the court convicts the person of the offence. (7) For the purposes of this section— (a) “related offence” means an offence which, in the opinion of the court, is related to the offence, and (b) one offence is related to another if, were they both to be prosecuted on indictment, the charges for them could be joined in the same indictment. (8) In doing anything under or contemplated by this section, the court is not bound by any indication of sentence given in respect of the offence under section 20 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (procedure where summary trial appears more suitable). (9) Nothing the court does under this section may be challenged or be the subject of any appeal in any court on the ground that it is inconsistent with an indication of sentence.
Propose a change(1) Where— (a) a magistrates' court— (i) has convicted a person aged under 18 of an offence following an indication of a guilty plea, and (ii) has sent the person to the Crown Court for trial for one or more related offences, and (b) the offence falls within paragraph (a) or (b) of the table in section 249(1) (offences punishable with imprisonment for 14 years or more and certain sexual offences) or section 252A(1)(a) or (1A)(a) (offences attracting special sentence for offenders of particular concern), the court may commit the offender in custody or on bail to the Crown Court to be dealt with in respect of the offence in accordance with section 22(2). (2) Where a magistrates' court— (a) convicts a person aged under 18 of an offence mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of the table in section 249(1) or within section 252A(1)(a) or (1A)(a) following an indication of a guilty plea, and (b) is still to determine to send, or whether to send, the person to the Crown Court for trial under section 51 or 51A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for one or more related offences, it must adjourn the proceedings relating to the offence until after it has made those determinations. (3) Where the court— (a) commits the offender under subsection (1) to the Crown Court to be dealt with in respect of the offence, and (b) in its opinion, also has power so to commit the offender under section 16(2) , 16A(2) or 17(2), the court may make a statement of that opinion. (4) For powers of the court, where it commits a person under subsection (1), also to commit in respect of other offences, see section 20. (5) For the purposes of this section, a magistrates' court convicts a person aged under 18 of an offence following an indication of a guilty plea if— (a) the person appears or is brought before the court when aged under 18 on an information charging the person with the offence, (b) the person or the person's representative indicates under section 24A or 24B of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (child or young person to indicate intention as to plea in certain cases) that the person would plead guilty if the offence were to proceed to trial, and (c) proceeding as if— (i) section 9(1) of that Act were complied with, and (ii) the person pleaded guilty under it, the court convicts the person of the offence. (6) For the purposes of this section— (a) “related offence” means an offence which, in the opinion of the court, is related to the offence, and (b) one offence is related to another if, were they both to be prosecuted on indictment, the charges for them could be joined in the same indictment.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where a magistrates' court (“the committing court”) commits an offender to the Crown Court under— (a) sections 14 to 19 (committal for sentence for indictable offences), (b) paragraph 5(4) of Schedule 2 (further offence committed by offender given conditional discharge order), (c) paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 10 (committal to Crown Court where offender convicted of further offence while community order is in force), (d) paragraph 11(2) of Schedule 16 (committal to Crown Court where offender commits further offence during operational period of suspended sentence order), (e) section 43 of the Mental Health Act 1980 (power of magistrates' courts to commit for restriction order), or (f) section 6(6) or 9(3) of the Bail Act 1976 (committal to Crown Court for offences of absconding by person released on bail or agreeing to indemnify sureties in criminal proceedings), ... (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to be sentenced or otherwise dealt with in respect of an offence (“the relevant offence”). (2) Where— (a) the relevant offence is an indictable offence, and (b) the committing court has power to deal with the offender in respect of another offence, the committing court may also commit the offender to the Crown Court to be dealt with in respect of the other offence in accordance with section 23. (3) It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (2) whether the court which convicted the offender of the other offence was the committing court or another court. (4) Where the relevant offence is a summary offence, the committing court may commit the offender to the Crown Court to be dealt with, in accordance with section 23, in respect of— (a) any other offence of which the committing court has convicted the offender which is punishable with— (i) imprisonment, or (ii) driving disqualification, or (b) any suspended sentence in respect of which it falls to the committing court to deal with the offender by virtue of paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 16. (5) For the purposes of subsection (4)(a) an offence is punishable with driving disqualification if the committing court has a power or duty to order the offender to be disqualified under section 34, 35 or 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (disqualification for certain motoring offences) in respect of it. (6) A committal to the Crown Court under this section is to be in custody or on bail as the case may require.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where an offender is committed by a magistrates' court for sentence under— (a) section 14(2) (committal for sentence on summary trial of offence triable either way), (b) section 15(2) (committal for sentence of dangerous adult offenders), or (c) section 18(1) (committal for sentence on indication of guilty plea to offence triable either way). (2) The Crown Court— (a) must inquire into the circumstances of the case, and (b) may deal with the offender in any way in which it could deal with the offender if the offender had been convicted of the offence on indictment before the court. This is subject to subsections (4) and (5). (3) Any duty or power which, apart from this subsection, would fall to be discharged or exercised by the magistrates' court— (a) is not to be discharged or exercised by that court, but (b) is instead to be discharged or may instead be exercised by the Crown Court. This does not apply to any duty imposed on a magistrates' court by section 25(1) or (2) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (duties relating to information). (4) Subsection (5) applies where a magistrates' court— (a) commits an offender under section 18(1) to be dealt with in respect of an offence (“the offence”), but (b) does not make a statement under section 18(4) (statement of power to commit under section 14(2) or 15(2)). (5) Unless the offender is convicted before the Crown Court of at least one of the offences for which the magistrates' court has sent the offender for trial (see section 18(1)(b))— (a) subsection (2)(b) does not apply, and (b) the Crown Court may deal with the offender for the offence in any way in which the magistrates' court could have dealt with the offender for it. (6) Section 20A(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (which relates to the effect of an indication of sentence under section 20 of that Act) does not apply in respect of a specified offence (see section 306)— (a) in respect of which the offender is committed under section 15(2) (dangerous adult offenders), or (b) in respect of which— (i) the offender is committed under section 18(1) (guilty plea to offence triable either way), and (ii) the court makes a statement under section 18(4) that, in its opinion, it also has power to commit the offender under section 15(2).
Propose a change(1) This section applies where an offender is committed by a magistrates' court for sentence under— (a) section 16(2) (committal for sentence of young offenders on summary trial of certain serious offences), (aa) section 16A(2) (committal for sentence of young offenders on summary trial of certain ... offences), (b) section 17(2) (committal for sentence of dangerous young offenders), or (c) section 19(1) (committal for sentence on indication of guilty plea by child or young person with related offences). (2) The Crown Court— (a) must inquire into the circumstances of the case, and (b) may deal with the offender in any way in which it could deal with the offender if the offender had been convicted of the offence on indictment before the court. This is subject to subsections (4) and (5). (3) Any duty or power which, apart from this subsection, would fall to be discharged or exercised by the magistrates' court— (a) is not to be discharged or exercised by that court, but (b) is instead to be discharged or may instead be exercised by the Crown Court. This does not apply to any duty imposed on a magistrates' court by section 25(1) or (2) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (duties relating to information). (4) Subsection (5) applies where a magistrates' court— (a) commits an offender under section 19(1) to be dealt with in respect of an offence (“the offence”), but (b) does not make a statement under section 19(3) (statement of power to commit under section 16(2) , 16A(2) or 17(2)). (5) Unless the offender is convicted before the Crown Court of at least one of the offences for which the magistrates' court has sent the offender for trial (see section 19(1)(a))— (a) subsection (2)(b) does not apply, and (b) the Crown Court may deal with the offender for the offence in any way in which the magistrates' court could have dealt with the offender for it.
Propose a change(1) Subsection (2) applies where under section 20(2) or (4)(a) (committal for sentence in certain cases where offender committed in respect of another offence) a magistrates' court commits a person to be dealt with by the Crown Court in respect of an offence. (2) The Crown Court— (a) must inquire into the circumstances of the case, and (b) may deal with the offender for the offence in any way in which the magistrates' court could have dealt with the offender (assuming it had convicted the offender of the offence). (3) Subsection (4) applies where under section 20(4)(b) a magistrates' court commits a person to be dealt with by the Crown Court in respect of a suspended sentence. (4) The powers under paragraphs 13 and 14 of Schedule 16 (power of court to deal with suspended sentence) are exercisable by the Crown Court. (5) Subsection (6) applies where under section 20 a magistrates' court commits a person to be dealt with by the Crown Court. (6) Without prejudice to subsections (1) to (4), any duty or power which, apart from this subsection, would fall to be discharged or exercised by the magistrates' court— (a) is not to be discharged or exercised by that court, but (b) is instead to be discharged or may instead be exercised by the Crown Court. This does not apply to any duty imposed on a magistrates' court by section 25(1) or (2) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (duties relating to information).
Propose a change(1) For other powers of a magistrates' court to commit an offender to the Crown Court to be dealt with for an offence, see— (a) paragraph 22(2) and (4) of Schedule 7 (offender subject to youth rehabilitation order made by Crown Court convicted of further offence by magistrates' court); (b) section 70 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (request by prosecution with a view to consideration of confiscation order under section 6 of that Act); (c) section 43(1) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (power of magistrates' courts to commit for restriction order); (d) section 6(6) of the Bail Act 1976 (offence of absconding by person released on bail); (e) section 9(3) of that Act (offence of agreeing to indemnify sureties in criminal proceedings); (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) Nothing in subsection (1) is to be taken to limit any other power of a magistrates' court to commit an offender to the Crown Court.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where a person aged under 18 is convicted by or before a court (“the convicting court”) of an offence other than homicide. (2) If the convicting court is the Crown Court, it must remit the offender to a youth court acting for the place where the sending court sat, unless satisfied that it would be undesirable to do so. The “sending court” is the magistrates' court which sent the offender to the Crown Court for trial. (2A) If— (a) the convicting court is a magistrates’ court, and (b) that court commits the offender to the Crown Court for sentence, the Crown Court may remit the offender to a youth court acting for the place where the convicting court sat. (3) If the convicting court is a youth court, it may remit the offender to another youth court. (4) If the convicting court is a magistrates' court other than a youth court— (a) it may remit the offender to a youth court, and (b) must do so unless subsection (5) applies. (5) This subsection applies where the convicting court— (a) would be required by section 85(1)(a) to make a referral order if it did not remit the offender to a youth court, or (b) is of the opinion that the case is one which can properly be dealt with by means of— (i) an order for absolute discharge or an order for conditional discharge, (ii) a fine, or (iii) an order (under section 376) requiring the offender's parent or guardian to enter into a recognizance to take proper care of, and exercise proper control over, the offender, with or without any other order that the court has power to make when making an order for absolute discharge or an order for conditional discharge. (6) For the purposes of subsection (5)(b)(iii)— (a) “care” and “control” are to be read in accordance with section 376(3) (binding over of parent or guardian), and (b) section 404 (certain references to parent or guardian to be read as references to local authority) does not apply. (7) Any remission of an offender under subsection (3) or (4) must be to a youth court acting for— (a) the same place as the remitting court, or (b) the place where the offender habitually resides. (8) Where an offender is remitted to a youth court under this section, that court may deal with the offender in any way in which it could deal with the offender if it had convicted the offender of the offence. (9) A court which remits an offender to a youth court under this section must provide the designated officer for the youth court with a certificate which— (a) sets out the nature of the offence, and (b) states— (i) that the offender has been convicted of the offence, and (ii) that the offender has been remitted for the purpose of being dealt with under subsection (8). (10) A document which purports— (a) to be a copy of an order made by a court under this section, and (b) to be certified as a true copy by the designated officer for the court, is to be evidence of the order.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where a person aged 18 or over, or a person who is not an individual— (a) has been convicted of an offence by a magistrates’ court and committed to the Crown Court for sentence, or (b) has been convicted of an offence (other than an offence triable only on indictment) by the Crown Court following a plea of guilty. (2) The Crown Court may remit the offender to a magistrates’ court for sentence. (3) In deciding whether to exercise the power in subsection (2), the Crown Court must— (a) take into account any other offence before the Crown Court that appears to the court to be related to that offence (whether the same, or a different, person is accused or has been convicted of the other offence), and (b) have regard to any allocation guidelines (or revised allocation guidelines) issued as definitive guidelines under section 122 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. (4) There is no right of appeal against an order under subsection (2).
Propose a change(1) This section applies where the Crown Court remits an offender to a youth court under section 25 or a magistrates’ court under section 25A. (2) The Crown Court may, subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (restrictions on granting bail), give such directions as appear to be necessary— (a) with respect to the custody of the offender, or (b) for the offender's release on bail, until the offender can appear or be brought before the youth court or magistrates’ court. (3) The offender— (a) has no right of appeal against the order of remission, but (b) has the same right of appeal against an order of the youth court or magistrates’ court as if convicted by that court.
Propose a change(1) Subsection (2) applies where a person who appears or is brought before a youth court charged with an offence subsequently reaches the age of 18. (2) The youth court may, at any time after conviction and before sentence, remit the offender for sentence to a magistrates' court other than a youth court (“the adult court”). (3) Where an offender is remitted under subsection (2), the adult court may deal with the offender in any way in which it could deal with the offender if it had convicted the offender of the offence. (4) Where an offender is remitted under subsection (2), section 25(4) (duty of adult magistrates' court to remit young offenders to youth court for sentence) does not apply to the adult court.
Propose a change(1) Subsection (2) applies where— (a) a person aged 18 or over has been convicted by a magistrates' court (“the convicting court”) of a relevant offence (“the present offence”), (b) it appears to the convicting court that some other magistrates' court (“the other court”) has convicted the offender of another relevant offence in respect of which the other court has not— (i) passed sentence on the offender, (ii) committed the offender to the Crown Court for sentence, nor (iii) dealt with the offender in any other way, and (c) the other court consents to the offender's being remitted to it under this section. (2) The convicting court may remit the offender to the other court to be dealt with in respect of the present offence by the other court instead of by the convicting court. (3) In subsection (1), “relevant offence”, in relation to the convicting court or the other court, means an offence which is punishable by that court with— (a) imprisonment, or (b) driving disqualification. For this purpose, an offence is punishable by a court with driving disqualification if the court has a power or duty to order the offender to be disqualified under section 34, 35 or 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (disqualification for certain motoring offences) in respect of it. (4) Where the convicting court remits the offender to the other court under this section the other court may deal with the offender in any way in which it could deal with the offender if it had convicted the offender of the present offence. This is subject to subsection (7). (5) The power conferred on the other court by subsection (4) includes, where applicable, the power to remit the offender under this section to another magistrates' court in respect of the present offence. (6) Where the convicting court has remitted the offender under this section, the other court may remit the offender back to the convicting court; and where it does so subsections (4) and (5) (so far as applicable) apply with the necessary modifications. (7) Nothing in this section prevents the convicting court from making a restitution order (see section 147) by virtue of the offender's conviction of the present offence. (8) In this section “conviction” includes a finding under section 11(1) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (remand for medical examination) that the person in question did the act or made the omission charged, and “convicted” is to be read accordingly.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where a magistrates' court (“the remitting court”) remits an offender under section 25, 27 or 28 to another magistrates' court (“the other court”) to be dealt with in respect of an offence. (2) The remitting court must adjourn proceedings in relation to the offence. (3) Any remand enactment has effect, in relation to the remitting court's power or duty to remand the offender on that adjournment, as if any reference to the court to or before which the person remanded is to be brought or appear after remand were a reference to the other court. (4) In this section, “remand enactment” means section 128 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (remand in custody or on bail) or any other enactment, whenever passed or made, relating to remand or the granting of bail in criminal proceedings; and for this purpose— (a) “enactment” includes an enactment contained in any order, regulation or other instrument having effect by virtue of an Act, and (b) “bail in criminal proceedings” has the same meaning as in the Bail Act 1976. (5) The offender has no right of appeal against the order of remission. This does not affect any right of appeal against an order made in respect of the offence by the other court.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where, by virtue of any provision of this Code, the pre-sentence report requirements apply to a court in relation to forming an opinion. (2) If the offender is aged 18 or over, the court must obtain and consider a pre-sentence report before forming the opinion unless, in the circumstances of the case, it considers that it is unnecessary to obtain a pre-sentence report. (3) If the offender is aged under 18, the court must obtain and consider a pre-sentence report before forming the opinion unless— (a) there exists a previous pre-sentence report obtained in respect of the offender, and (b) the court considers— (i) in the circumstances of the case, and (ii) having had regard to the information contained in that report or, if there is more than one, the most recent report, that it is unnecessary to obtain a pre-sentence report. (4) Where a court does not obtain and consider a pre-sentence report before forming an opinion in relation to which the pre-sentence report requirements apply, no custodial sentence or community sentence is invalidated by the fact that it did not do so.
Propose a change“Pre-sentence report” (1) In this Code “pre-sentence report” means a report which— (a) is made or submitted by an appropriate officer with a view to assisting the court in determining the most suitable method of dealing with an offender, and (b) contains information as to such matters, presented in such manner, as may be prescribed by rules made by the Secretary of State. (2) In subsection (1), “an appropriate officer” means— (a) where the offender is aged 18 or over, an officer of a provider of probation services; (b) where the offender is aged under 18— (i) an officer of a provider of probation services, (ii) a social worker of a local authority, or (iii) a member of a youth offending team. (3) Rules under subsection (1)(b) are subject to the negative resolution procedure. “Obtaining” a pre-sentence report (4) Where by any provision of this Code, the court is required to obtain a pre-sentence report, it may accept a pre-sentence report given orally in open court. But this is subject to— (a) any rules made under subsection (1)(b), and (b) subsection (5). (5) A pre-sentence report must be in writing if it— (a) relates to an offender aged under 18, and (b) is required to be obtained and considered before the court forms an opinion mentioned in— (i) section 230(2) (seriousness threshold for discretionary custodial sentence), (ii) section 231(2) (determining term of custodial sentence), (iii) section 255(1)(c) (determining risk of harm to public for purpose of extended sentence), or (iv) section 258(1)(c) (determining risk of harm to public for purpose of required life sentence).
Propose a change(1) This section applies where the court obtains a pre-sentence report, other than a report given orally in open court. Copy for offender and parent or guardian (2) The court must give a copy of the report— (a) to the offender or the offender's legal representative, and (b) if the offender is aged under 18, to any parent or guardian of the offender who is present in court. (3) But if— (a) the offender is aged under 18, and (b) it appears to the court that the disclosure of any information contained in the report— (i) to the offender, or (ii) to a parent or guardian of the offender, would be likely to create a risk of significant harm to the offender, a complete copy of the report need not be given to the offender or, as the case may be, to that parent or guardian. For this purpose, “harm” has the same meaning as in section 31 of the Children Act 1989. Copy for prosecutor (4) The court must give a copy of the report to the prosecutor, that is to say, the person having the conduct of the proceedings in respect of the offence. (5) But a copy of the report need not be given to the prosecutor if the court considers that it would be inappropriate for the prosecutor to be given it. But this subsection does not apply if the prosecutor is of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State. (6) No information obtained by virtue of subsection (4) may be used or disclosed otherwise than for the purpose of— (a) determining whether representations as to matters contained in the report need to be made to the court, or (b) making such representations to the court. (7) Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to the negative resolution procedure.
Propose a change(1) Any court, on an appeal against a custodial sentence or a community sentence, must— (a) subject to subsection (2) or (3), obtain a pre-sentence report if none was obtained by the court below, and (b) consider any such report obtained by it or by the court below. (2) If the offender is aged 18 or over, the court need not obtain a pre-sentence report if it considers— (a) that the court below was justified in not obtaining a pre-sentence report, or (b) that, in the circumstances of the case at the time it is before the court, it is unnecessary to obtain a pre-sentence report. (3) If the offender is aged under 18, the court need not obtain a pre-sentence report if— (a) there exists a previous pre-sentence report obtained in respect of the offender, and (b) the court considers, having had regard to the information contained in that report or, if there is more than one, the most recent report— (i) that the court below was justified in not obtaining a pre-sentence report, or (ii) that, in the circumstances of the case at the time it is before the court, it is unnecessary to obtain a pre-sentence report.
Propose a change(1) This section applies where— (a) a report by— (i) an officer of a provider of probation services, or (ii) a member of a youth offending team, is made to any court (other than a youth court) with a view to assisting the court in determining the most suitable method of dealing with any person in respect of an offence, and (b) the report is not a pre-sentence report. (2) The court must give a copy of the report— (a) to the offender or the offender's legal representative, and (b) if the offender is aged under 18, to any parent or guardian of the offender who is present in court. (3) But if— (a) the offender is aged under 18, and (b) it appears to the court that the disclosure of any information contained in the report— (i) to the offender, or (ii) to a parent or guardian of the offender, would be likely to create a risk of significant harm to the offender, a complete copy of the report need not be given to the offender or, as the case may be, to that parent or guardian. For this purpose, “harm” has the same meaning as in section 31 of the Children Act 1989.
Propose a change(1) In this Code, “financial circumstances order”, in relation to an individual, means an order requiring the individual to give the court, before the end of the period specified in the order, such a statement of the individual's assets and other financial circumstances as the court may require. (2) Where an individual has been convicted of an offence, the court may, before sentencing the individual, make a financial circumstances order with respect to the individual. (3) Where a magistrates' court has been notified in accordance with section 12(4) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 that an individual desires to plead guilty without appearing before the court, the court may make a financial circumstances order with respect to the individual. (4) Where— (a) an individual aged under 18 has been convicted of an offence, and (b) the court is considering whether to make an order under section 380 in respect of the individual's parent or guardian (power to order parent or guardian to pay fine, costs, compensation or surcharge), the court may make a financial circumstances order with respect to the parent or (as the case may be) guardian.
Propose a change(1) It is an offence for an individual to fail without reasonable excuse to comply with a financial circumstances order. (2) An individual who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale. (3) It is an offence for an individual, in furnishing any statement in pursuance of a financial circumstances order— (a) to make a statement which the individual knows to be false in a material particular, (b) recklessly to furnish a statement which is false in a material particular, or (c) knowingly to fail to disclose any material fact. (4) An individual who is guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale. (5) Proceedings for an offence under subsection (3) may be commenced at any time which is both— (a) within 2 years from the date of the offence, and (b) within 6 months from its first discovery by the prosecutor. This subsection has effect despite anything in section 127(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (limitation of time).
Propose a change(1) For other powers and duties of a court in relation to obtaining information or a report before passing sentence, see— (a) section 232 (medical report before passing certain custodial sentence in case of offender suffering from mental disorder); (b) section 48(3) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (power of youth court to remand for purpose of enabling information to be obtained with respect to offender aged under 18); (c) section 10(3) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (adjournment by magistrates' court for purpose of enabling enquiries); (d) section 35 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (remand to hospital for a report on the person's mental condition). (2) See also section 11 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (remand by magistrates' court for medical examination) where a magistrates' court is considering whether to make an order under section 37(3) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (hospital admission or guardianship).
Propose a change