Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52)

Part 8 U.K. Sentencing Powers and Mandatory etc Sentences

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 8 applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041), art. 1, rule 128(2)

Chapter 1 U.K. Definition etc of Certain Sentences

Conditional or absolute discharge (civilians only) U.K.

185 Conditional or absolute discharge U.K.

(1) A conditional discharge is an order discharging the offender subject to the condition that he commits no service offence during a period specified in the order.

(2) The period specified in the order (“the period of conditional discharge”) must—

(a) begin with the date of the order; and

(b) not exceed the maximum period for the time being specified in [F1 section 80(5) of the Sentencing Code] (maximum period of civilian conditional discharge).

(3) An absolute discharge is an order discharging the offender absolutely.

(4) Where by virtue of Schedule 3 a court sentences an offender by conditionally or absolutely discharging him, the sentence must not include any other punishment except a service compensation order [F2 , deprivation order or driving disqualification order].

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 185(2)(b) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 13 (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F2 Words in s. 185(4) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 1.4.2023 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), s. 24(1), Sch. 6 para. 9; S.I. 2022/471, reg. 2(f); S.I. 2023/158, reg. 3

Commencement Information

I1 S. 185 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)

I2 S. 185 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4