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Sentencing Act 2020

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Changes to legislation:

Sentencing Act 2020, Cross Heading: Age limit for imposing imprisonment is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 24 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

Age limit for imposing imprisonmentE+W

Prospective

[F136E+WIn section 15 (committal for sentence of dangerous adult offenders)—

(a)in subsection (1)(b), omit—

(i)“of detention in a young offender institution or”;

(ii)“266 or”;

(b)in subsection (1A), omit “268A or”.]

Textual Amendments

Prospective

37E+WIn section [F259(2)] (sentencing guidelines: general duty of court)[F3

(a)in paragraph (ga), for “sections 268B and” substitute “ section ”;

(b)in paragraph (h),] for “sections 273 and” substitute “ section ”.

Textual Amendments

Prospective

38E+WIn section 61 (sentencing guidelines: extended sentences and life sentences)—

(a)in subsection (2), omit “, 268(2)”;

[F4(aa)in subsection (2B), omit “268C(2)(b) or”;]

(b)in subsection (3), omit “273 or”;

(c)in subsection (4), omit “273(4) or”;

(d)in subsection (8)—

(i)in paragraph (a), at the end insert “ or ”;

(ii)omit paragraph (c) (and the word “or” immediately before it).

Textual Amendments

Prospective

[F538AE+WIn section 73(2A) (reduction in serious terrorism sentence for guilty plea), omit “268C(2) or, as the case may be,”.

Textual Amendments

Prospective

38BE+WIn section 74(4A) (reduction in serious terrorism sentence for assistance to prosecution), omit “268C(2) or”.]

Textual Amendments

Prospective

39E+WIn section 129(5)(c) (fine imposed on offender by Crown Court: duty to make term in default order), omit “, custody for life or detention in a young offender institution”.

Prospective

40E+WIn section 166(5) (extension of disqualification where custodial sentence also imposed), in the table, omit [F6entries 3, 4 and 4A].

Textual Amendments

F6Words in Sch. 22 para. 40 substituted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(v), Sch. 13 para. 11(20)(e)

Prospective

[F740AE+WIn section 166(5A) (adaptation of disqualification period in certain terrorist cases), in paragraph (a), omit “, 4”;]

Prospective

41E+WIn section 221 (overview of Part 10)—

(a)omit subsection (3);

(b)in subsection (4), omit “aged at least 21 at the time of conviction”.

Prospective

42E+WIn section 224 (general limit on magistrates' court's power to impose imprisonment or detention in a young offender institution)—

(a)in subsection (1), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute “ imprisonment ”;

(b)in subsection (2), omit “or detention in a young offender institution”;

(c)in the heading, omit “or detention in a young offender institution”.

Prospective

43E+WIn section 226 (custodial sentence: restriction in certain cases where offender not legally represented)

[F8(a)], in subsection (2), for paragraphs (c) and (d) substitute or

(ba)if the offender was aged at least 18 but under 21 when convicted, pass a sentence of imprisonment,

[F9(b)in subsection (3), at the beginning insert “If the offender was aged 21 or over when convicted,".]

Prospective

44E+WIn section 227 (restriction on imposing imprisonment on person under 21) in each of the following places, and in the heading to that section, for “under 21” substitute “ under 18 ” in each of the following—

(a)subsection (1);

(b)subsection (2);

(c)subsection (3).

Prospective

45E+WIn section 230(3) (threshold for imposing discretionary custodial sentence), for “sections 273(4) and” substitute “ section ”.

Prospective

46E+WIn section 231 (length of discretionary custodial sentences: general provision)—

(a)in subsection (3), for “sections 273(4) and” substitute “ section ”;

(b)in subsection (4), omit paragraph (b) (but not the word “or” immediately after it);

(c)in subsection (6), omit “, 268(2)”.

[F10(d)in subsection (6A), for “sections 268C(2)(b) and” substitute “ section ”.]

Textual Amendments

Prospective

47E+WIn section 236 (term of order, consecutive terms and taking account of remands)—

(a)in subsection (2)(a) and (b), and

(b)in subsection (2A)(b) (to be inserted by paragraph 29 of this Schedule),

for “21” substitute “ 18 ” (in each place).

Prospective

48E+WIn section 244 (interaction with sentences of detention in a young offender institution), in subsection (2), for paragraph (b) substitute—

(b)section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (place of detention);.

Prospective

49E+WIn section 246 (effect of detention and training order made where offender has reached 18), in subsection (2), for “detention in a young offender institution” substitute “ imprisonment ”.

Prospective

50E+WIn section 249 (sentence of detention under section 250: availability), in paragraph (a) of the table in subsection (1), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

51E+WIn section 252 (maximum sentence), in subsection (2), in paragraphs (a) and (b), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

[F1151AE+WIn section 252A (special sentence of detention for terrorist offenders of particular concern aged under 18), in subsection (4), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.]

Textual Amendments

Prospective

52E+WIn section 256 (term of extended sentence of detention under section 254), in subsection (5), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

53(1)Omit Chapter 3 of Part 10 (custodial sentences for adults aged under 21).E+W

(2)In the heading for Chapter 4 of that Part, omit “aged 21 and over”.

(3)The repeal by sub-paragraph (1) of section 270 does not affect the validity of any order made under subsection (2) of that section.

Prospective

54E+WIn section 277 (suspended sentence order for person aged 21 or over: availability), in the heading, for “person aged 21 or over” substitute “ adult ”.

Prospective

55E+WIn section 278 (required special custodial sentence for certain offenders of particular concern), omit subsection (1)(b)(ii) (and the word “and” immediately after it).

Prospective

56E+WIn section 279 (extended sentence of imprisonment for certain violent or sexual offences: persons 21 or over), in the heading omit “persons 21 or over”.

Prospective

57E+WIn section 280 (extended sentence of imprisonment: availability), in subsection (1)(b), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

[F1257AE+WIn section 282A (serious terrorism sentence of imprisonment: persons 21 or over), in the heading omit “: persons 21 or over”.

Textual Amendments

Prospective

57BE+WIn section 282B (serious terrorism sentence of imprisonment: circumstances in which required), omit subsection (1)(c).]

Textual Amendments

Prospective

58E+WIn section 283 (life sentence for second listed offence), in subsection (1)(c), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

59E+WIn section 285 (required life sentence for offence carrying life sentence), in subsection (1)(a), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

[F1359AE+WIn section 285A (required life sentence for manslaughter of emergency worker), in subsection (1)(a), for “21” substitute “18”.]

Prospective

60E+WIn section 286 (suspended sentence order), in subsection (1), omit “or detention in a young offender institution”.

Prospective

61E+WIn section 289 (suspended sentence to be treated generally as sentence of imprisonment etc)—

(a)in subsection (1), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute “ a sentence of imprisonment ”;

(b)in the heading, omit “etc”.

Prospective

62E+WIn section 308(1) (the assessment of dangerousness)—

(a)in paragraph (a), omit “, 267”;

[F14(aa)in paragraph (aa), omit “268B or”;]

(b)in paragraph (b), omit “, 274”.

Textual Amendments

Prospective

63E+WIn section 310 (certificates of conviction), in the words following paragraph (c), omit “267, 273,”.

Prospective

64E+WIn section 311 (minimum sentence for certain offences involving firearms that are prohibited weapons), in subsection (3)—

(a)omit paragraph (b);

(b)in paragraph (c), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

65E+WIn section 312 (mandatory minimum sentence for offences of threatening with weapon or bladed article), in subsection (3)—

(a)omit paragraph (b);

(b)in paragraph (c), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

66E+WIn section 313 (minimum sentence for third drug trafficking offence)—

(a)in subsection (2), for “an appropriate custodial sentence” substitute “ a sentence of imprisonment ”;

[F15(aa)in subsection (2A), for “an appropriate custodial sentence” substitute “a sentence of imprisonment”;]

(b)omit subsection (6).

Prospective

67E+WIn section 314 (minimum sentence for third domestic burglary offence)—

(a)in subsection (2), for “an appropriate custodial sentence” substitute “ a sentence of imprisonment ”;

[F16(aa)in subsection (2A), for “an appropriate custodial sentence” substitute “a sentence of imprisonment”;]

(b)omit subsection (6).

Prospective

68E+WIn section 315 (minimum sentence for repeat offence involving weapon or bladed article), in subsection (3)—

(a)omit paragraph (b);

(b)in paragraph (c), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

[F1768AE+WIn section 323 (minimum term order: other life sentences)—

[F18(za)in subsection (1C)(b), omit “265, 266,”]

(a)in subsection (4), omit “268B(2) or” in both places;

(b)in subsection (6)(b), omit “268B(2) or”.]

Prospective

69E+WIn section 324 (interpretation of sections 321 and 322), in the definition of “life sentence”—

(a)at the end of paragraph (a) insert “ or ”;

(b)omit paragraph (c) (and the word “or” immediately before it).

Prospective

70E+WIn section 329 (conversion of sentence of detention to sentence of imprisonment)—

[F19(za)in subsection (3), for “(4) to (5A)” substitute “ (4), (4A) and (5) ”;]

[F20(zb)in subsection (4A), omit paragraph (b) (and the word “or” immediately before it);]

(a)in subsection (5), omit paragraph (b) (and the word “or” immediately before it);

[F21(aa)omit subsection (5A);]

(b)in subsection (7), omit paragraphs (d), (e) [F22, (ea)] and (f).

Prospective

71(1)In section 384(3)(b) (commencement of sentence), for “, 257 and 270” substitute “ and 257 ”.E+W

(2)The amendment made by sub-paragraph (1) does not affect the validity of any order made under section 270(2).

Prospective

72[F23(a)]In section 397(1) (interpretation: general), in the definition of “extended sentence”, omit paragraph (b) (but not the word “or” immediately after that paragraph).E+W

[F24(b)in the definition of “serious terrorism sentence”, omit paragraph (a) (including the word “or” immediately after that paragraph).]

Textual Amendments

F23Words in Sch. 22 para. 72 renumbered as Sch. 22 para. 72(a) (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(v), Sch. 13 para. 11(20)(k)(i)

Prospective

[F2573E+WIn section 399 (mandatory sentences)—

(a)in paragraph (b)—

(i)in the opening words, omit “, custody for life”;

(ii)in sub-paragraph (i), omit “, 274 [F26, 274A]”;

(iii)in sub-paragraph (ii), omit “273 or”;

(b)in paragraph (ba), omit “268B or”.]

Prospective

74(1)In paragraph 10 of Schedule 10 (magistrates' court's powers on breach etc of community order), as amended by paragraph 21(2) of this Schedule—E+W

(a)in sub-paragraph (5)(d), in the words following sub-paragraph (iii), for “relevant custodial sentence” substitute “ sentence of imprisonment ”;

(b)omit sub-paragraph (9A).

(2)But, if paragraph 21(2) of this Schedule is not in force when this paragraph comes into force, in that paragraph—

(a)in the paragraph (d) to be inserted by it into paragraph 10(5) of Schedule 10 (magistrates' court's powers on breach etc of community order), in the words following sub-paragraph (iii), for “relevant custodial sentence” substitute “ sentence of imprisonment ”;

(b)omit paragraph (c) (which inserts sub-paragraph (9A) into paragraph 10 of Schedule 10).

Prospective

75(1)In paragraph 11 of Schedule 10 (Crown Court's powers on breach etc of community order), as amended by paragraph 21(3) of this Schedule—E+W

(a)in sub-paragraph (2)(d), in the words following sub-paragraph (ii), for “relevant custodial sentence” substitute “ sentence of imprisonment ”;

(b)omit sub-paragraph (6A).

(2)But if paragraph 21(3) of this Schedule is not in force when this paragraph comes into force, in that paragraph—

(a)in the paragraph (d) to be inserted by it into paragraph 11(2) of Schedule 10 (Crown Court's powers on breach etc of community order), in the words following sub-paragraph (ii), for “relevant custodial sentence” substitute “ sentence of imprisonment ”;

(b)omit paragraph (c) (which inserts sub-paragraph (6A) into paragraph 11 of Schedule 10).

Prospective

[F2775AE+WIn paragraph 13A of Schedule 10 (detention following breach of community order)—

(a)omit sub-paragraph (1);

(b)in sub-paragraph (2), omit “or a young offender institution”.]

Prospective

76E+WIn Schedule 12, in paragraph 3 (breach of requirement of detention and training order), in sub-paragraph (8), for “21” substitute “ 18 ”.

Prospective

77E+WIn Schedule 14 (extended sentences: the earlier offence condition: offences), in paragraph 15(b), for “section 267(1)(a) or 280(1)(a) (as appropriate)” substitute “ section 280(1)(a) ”.

Prospective

78E+WIn Schedule 15 (life sentence for second offence: listed offences), in paragraph 24(1), omit the definition of “index offence”.

Prospective

[F2878AE+WIn paragraph 16A of Schedule 16 (detention following breach of suspended sentence order)—

(a)omit sub-paragraph (1);

(b)in sub-paragraph (2), omit “or a young offender institution”.]

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