Criminal Justice Act 2003

Part 2 U.K. Breach of community requirement or conviction of further offence

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 12 Pt. 2 modified (28.3.2009 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 206, 383, Sch. 7; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4; (as amended (1.6.2014) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 6 para. 7 (with s. 23(4)); S.I. 2014/1287, art. 2(e))

Duty to give warning in relation to community requirement U.K.

4 (1) If the responsible officer is of the opinion that the offender has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with any of the community requirements of a suspended sentence order, the officer must give him a warning under this paragraph unless— U.K.

(a) the offender has within the previous twelve months been given a warning under this paragraph in relation to a failure to comply with any of the community requirements of the order, or

[F1 (b) the officer refers the matter to an enforcement officer (see paragraph 5A).]

(2) A warning under this paragraph must—

(a) describe the circumstances of the failure,

(b) state that the failure is unacceptable, and

(c) inform the offender that if within the next twelve months he again fails to comply with any requirement of the order, he will be liable to be brought before a court.

(3) The responsible officer must, as soon as practicable after the warning has been given, record that fact.

(4) In relation to any suspended sentence order which is made by the Crown Court and does not include a direction that any failure to comply with the community requirements of the order is to be dealt with by a magistrates' court, the reference in sub-paragraph (1)(b) to a justice of the peace is to be read as a reference to the Crown Court.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 12 para. 4(1)(b) substituted (1.6.2014) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 4 para. 7(3); S.I. 2014/1287, art. 2(d)

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

Breach of order after warning U.K.

5 (1) If— U.K.

(a) the responsible officer has given a warning under paragraph 4 to the offender in respect of a suspended sentence order, and

(b) at any time within the twelve months beginning with the date on which the warning was given, the responsible officer is of the opinion that the offender has since that date failed without reasonable excuse to comply with any of the community requirements of the order,

the officer [F2 must refer the matter to an enforcement officer (see paragraph 5A).]

(2) In relation to any suspended sentence order which is made by the Crown Court and does not include a direction that any failure to comply with the community requirements of the order is to be dealt with by a magistrates' court, the reference in sub-paragraph (1) to a justice of the peace is to be read as a reference to the Crown Court.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 12 para. 5(1) substituted (1.6.2014) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 4 para. 7(4); S.I. 2014/1287, art. 2(d)

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

[F3 Role of enforcement officer U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 12 para. 5A and cross-heading inserted (1.6.2014) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 4 para. 7(5); S.I. 2014/1287, art. 2(d)

5A (1) Where a matter is referred to an enforcement officer under paragraph 4(1)(b) or 5(1), it is the duty of the enforcement officer to consider the case and, where appropriate, to cause an information to be laid before a justice of the peace in respect of the offender's failure to comply with the requirement. U.K.

(2) In relation to any suspended sentence order which was made by the Crown Court and does not include a direction that any failure to comply with the requirements of the order is to be dealt with by a magistrates' court, the reference in sub-paragraph (1) to a justice of the peace is to be read as a reference to the Crown Court.]

Issue of summons or warrant by justice of the peace U.K.

6 (1) This paragraph applies to— U.K.

(a) a suspended sentence order made by a magistrates' court, or

(b) any suspended sentence order which was made by the Crown Court and includes a direction that any failure to comply with the community requirements of the order is to be dealt with by a magistrates' court.

F4 (2) If at any time while a suspended sentence order to which this paragraph applies is in force it appears on information to a justice of the peace F5 . . . that the offender has failed to comply with any of the community requirements of the order, the justice may—

(a) issue a summons requiring the offender to appear at the place and time specified in it, or

(b) if the information is in writing and on oath, issue a warrant for his arrest.

(3) Any summons or warrant issued under this paragraph must direct the offender to appear or be brought—

(a) in the case of a suspended sentence order which is subject to review, before the court responsible for the order,

[F6 (b) in any other case, before a magistrates' court acting for the petty sessions area in which the offender resides or, if it is not known where he resides, before a magistrates' court [F7 acting in the local justice area] concerned.]

(4) Where a summons issued under sub-paragraph (2)(a) requires the offender to appear before a magistrates' court and the offender does not appear in answer to the summons, the magistrates' court may issue a warrant for the arrest of the offender.

Textual Amendments

F4 By The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 110(b), it is provided (1.4.2005) that in Sch. 12 para. 6(2) for the words "acting for the petty sessions area" there be substituted the words "acting in the local justice area"

F5 Sch. 12 para. 6(2) omitted (31.3.2005) by virtue of Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 29, 60, Sch. 5 para. 8(2); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(d)

F6 Sch. 12 para. 6(3)(b) substituted (31.3.2005) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 29, 60, Sch. 5 para. 8(3); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(d)

F7 Words in Sch. 12 para. 6(3)(b) substituted (1.4.2005) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 110(b)

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

Issue of summons or warrant by Crown Court U.K.

7 (1) This paragraph applies to a suspended sentence order made by the Crown Court which does not include a direction that any failure to comply with the community requirements of the order is to be dealt with by a magistrates' court. U.K.

(2) If at any time while a suspended sentence order to which this paragraph applies is in force it appears on information to the Crown Court that the offender has failed to comply with any of the community requirements of the order, the Crown Court may—

(a) issue a summons requiring the offender to appear at the place and time specified in it, or

(b) if the information is in writing and on oath, issue a warrant for his arrest.

(3) Any summons or warrant issued under this paragraph must direct the offender to appear or be brought before the Crown Court.

(4) Where a summons issued under sub-paragraph (1)(a) requires the offender to appear before the Crown Court and the offender does not appear in answer to the summons, the Crown Court may issue a warrant for the arrest of the offender.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

Powers of court on breach of community requirement or conviction of further offence U.K.

8 (1) This paragraph applies where— U.K.

(a) it is proved to the satisfaction of a court before which an offender appears or is brought under paragraph 6 or 7 or by virtue of section 192(6) that he has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with any of the community requirements of the suspended sentence order, or

(b) an offender is convicted of an offence committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence (other than one which has already taken effect) and either—

(i) he is so convicted by or before a court having power under paragraph 11 to deal with him in respect of the suspended sentence, or

(ii) he subsequently appears or is brought before such a court.

(2) The court must consider his case and deal with him in one of the following ways—

(a) the court may order that the suspended sentence is to take effect with its original term F8 ... unaltered,

(b) the court may order that the sentence is to take effect [F9 with the substitution for the original term of a lesser term].

[F10 (ba) the court may order the offender to pay a fine of an amount not exceeding £2,500,]

(c) [F11 in the case of a suspended sentence order that imposes one or more community requirements,] the court may amend the order by doing any one or more of the following—

(i) imposing more onerous community requirements which the court could include if it were then making the order,

(ii) subject to subsections (3) and (4) of section 189, extending the supervision period, or

(iii) subject to subsection (3) of that section, extending the operational period,

[F12 (d) in the case of a suspended sentence order that does not impose any community requirements, the court may, subject to section 189(3), amend the order by extending the operational period.]

(3) The court must make an order under sub-paragraph (2)(a) or (b) unless it is of the opinion that it would be unjust to do so in view of all the circumstances, including the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph (4); and where it is of that opinion the court must state its reasons.

(4) The matters referred to in sub-paragraph (3) are—

(a) the extent to which the offender has complied with [F13 any community requirements] of the suspended sentence order, and

(b) in a case falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b), the facts of the subsequent offence.

[F14 (4ZA) A fine imposed under sub-paragraph (2)(ba) is to be treated, for the purposes of any enactment, as being a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction.]

F15 (4A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) Where a court deals with an offender under sub-paragraph (2) in respect of a suspended sentence, the appropriate officer of the court must notify the appropriate officer of the court which passed the sentence of the method adopted.

(6) Where a suspended sentence order was made by the Crown Court and a magistrates' court would (apart from this sub-paragraph) be required to deal with the offender under sub-paragraph (2)(a), (b)[F16 , (ba)] or (c) it may instead commit him to custody or release him on bail until he can be brought or appear before the Crown Court.

(7) A magistrates' court which deals with an offender’s case under sub-paragraph (6) must send to the Crown Court—

(a) a certificate signed by a justice of the peace certifying that the offender has failed to comply with the community requirements of the suspended sentence order in the respect specified in the certificate, and

(b) such other particulars of the case as may be desirable;

and a certificate purporting to be so signed is admissible as evidence of the failure before the Crown Court.

(8) In proceedings before the Crown Court under this paragraph any question whether the offender has failed to comply with [F17 any community] requirements of the suspended sentence order and any question whether the offender has been convicted of an offence committed during the operational period of the suspended sentence is to be determined by the court and not by the verdict of a jury.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in Sch. 12 para. 8(2)(a) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 38(2)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)

F9 Words in Sch. 12 para. 8(2)(b) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 38(2)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)

F10 Sch. 12 para. 8(2)(ba) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 69(2)(a), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 4)

F11 Words in Sch. 12 para. 8(2)(c) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(2) (with s. 68(7)); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(g)

F12 Sch. 12 para. 8(2)(d) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(3) (with s. 68(7)); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(g)

F13 Words in Sch. 12 para. 8(4)(a) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(4) (with s. 68(7)); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(g)

F14 Sch. 12 para. 8(4ZA) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 69(2)(b), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 4)

F15 Sch. 12 para. 8(4A) omitted (1.2.2015) by virtue of Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), ss. 18(7), 22(1) (with Sch. 7 para. 7); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(p)

F16 Words in Sch. 12 para. 8(6) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 69(2)(c), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a) (with art. 4)

F17 Words in Sch. 12 para. 8(8) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(5) (with s. 68(7)); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(g)

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

Further provisions as to order that suspended sentence is to take effect U.K.

9 (1) When making an order under paragraph 8(2)(a) or (b) that a sentence is to take effect (with or without any variation of the original term F18 ...), the court— U.K.

F19 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) may order that the sentence is to take effect immediately or that the term of that sentence is to commence on the expiry of another term of imprisonment passed on the offender by that or another court.

(2) The power to make an order under sub-paragraph (1)(b) has effect subject to section 265 (restriction on consecutive sentences for released prisoners).

(3) For the purpose of any enactment conferring rights of appeal in criminal cases, [F20 each of the following orders] is to be treated as a sentence passed on the offender by that court for the offence for which the suspended sentence was passed[F21 —

(a) an order made by the court under paragraph 8(2)(a) or (b);

(b) an order made by the court under section 21A of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts charge) when making an order described in paragraph (a).]

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in Sch. 12 para. 9(1) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 38(3)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)

F19 Sch. 12 para. 9(1)(a) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 38(3)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)

F20 Words in Sch. 12 para. 9(3) substituted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 12 para. 16(a); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 78

F21 Words in Sch. 12 para. 9(3) inserted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 12 para. 16(b); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 78

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

Restriction of powers in paragraph 8 where treatment required U.K.

10 (1) An offender who is required by any of the following community requirements of a suspended sentence order— U.K.

(a) a mental health treatment requirement,

(b) a drug rehabilitation requirement, or

(c) an alcohol treatment requirement,

to submit to treatment for his mental condition, or his dependency on or propensity to misuse drugs or alcohol, is not to be treated for the purposes of paragraph 8(1)(a) as having failed to comply with that requirement on the ground only that he had refused to undergo any surgical, electrical or other treatment if, in the opinion of the court, his refusal was reasonable having regard to all the circumstances.

(2) A court may not under paragraph 8(2)(c)(i) amend a mental health treatment requirement, a drug rehabilitation requirement or an alcohol treatment requirement unless the offender expresses his willingness to comply with the requirement as amended.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

Court by which suspended sentence may be dealt with under paragraph 8(1)(b) U.K.

11 (1) An offender may be dealt with under paragraph 8(1)(b) in respect of a suspended sentence by the Crown Court or, where the sentence was passed by a magistrates' court, by any magistrates' court before which he appears or is brought. U.K.

(2) Where an offender is convicted by a magistrates' court of any offence and the court is satisfied that the offence was committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence passed by the Crown Court—

(a) the court may, if it thinks fit, commit him in custody or on bail to the Crown Court, and

(b) if it does not, must give written notice of the conviction to the appropriate officer of the Crown Court.

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

Procedure where court convicting of further offence does not deal with suspended sentence U.K.

12 (1) If it appears to the Crown Court, where that court has jurisdiction in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), or to a justice of the peace having jurisdiction in accordance with that sub-paragraph— U.K.

(a) that an offender has been convicted in the United Kingdom of an offence committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence, and

(b) that he has not been dealt with in respect of the suspended sentence,

that court or justice may, subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, issue a summons requiring the offender to appear at the place and time specified in it, or a warrant for his arrest.

(2) Jurisdiction for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) may be exercised—

(a) if the suspended sentence was passed by the Crown Court, by that court;

(b) if it was passed by a magistrates' court, by a justice [F22 acting in the local justice area in which the court acted].

(3) Where—

(a) an offender is convicted in Scotland or Northern Ireland of an offence, and

(b) the court is informed that the offence was committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence passed in England or Wales,

the court must give written notice of the conviction to the appropriate officer of the court by which the suspended sentence was passed.

(4) Unless he is acting in consequence of a notice under sub-paragraph (3), a justice of the peace may not issue a summons under this paragraph except on information and may not issue a warrant under this paragraph except on information in writing and on oath.

(5) A summons or warrant issued under this paragraph must direct the offender to appear or be brought before the court by which the suspended sentence was passed.

Textual Amendments

F22 Words in Sch. 12 para. 12(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2005) by The Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886), art. 2, Sch. para. 110(c)

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 12 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 34 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)

[F23 Power to amend amount of fine U.K.

Textual Amendments

F23 Sch. 12 para. 12A and cross-heading inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 69(3), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(a)

12A (1) The Secretary of State may by order amend the sum for the time being specified in paragraph 8(2)(ba). U.K.

(2) The power conferred by sub-paragraph (1) may be exercised only if it appears to the Secretary of State that there has been a change in the value of money since the relevant date which justifies the change.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2), “the relevant date” means—

(a) if the sum specified in paragraph 8(2)(ba) has been substituted by an order under sub-paragraph (1), the date on which the sum was last so substituted;

(b) otherwise, the date on which section 69 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (which inserted this paragraph) came into force.

(4) An order under sub-paragraph (1) (a “fine amendment order”) must not have effect in relation to any suspended sentence order made in respect of an offence committed before the fine amendment order comes into force.]