Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

3 Amount of penalty and form of penalty notice E+W

(1) The penalty payable in respect of a penalty offence is such amount as the Secretary of State may specify by order.

F1 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) But the Secretary of State may not specify an amount which is more than a quarter of the amount of the maximum fine for which a person is liable on [F2 summary] conviction of the offence [F3 plus a half of the relevant surcharge].

[F4 (2A) The “relevant surcharge”, in relation to a person of a given age, is the amount payable by way of surcharge under [F5 section 42 of the Sentencing Code] by a person of that age who is fined the maximum amount for the offence.]

(3) A penalty notice must—

F6 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) state the alleged offence;

(c) give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary to provide reasonable information about it;

(d) specify the suspended enforcement period (as to which see section 5) and explain its effect;

(e) state the amount of the penalty;

(f) state the [F7 designated officer for a local justice area] to whom, and the address at which, the penalty may be paid; and

(g) inform the person to whom it is given of his right to ask to be tried for the alleged offence and explain how that right may be exercised.

[F8 (3A) The Secretary of State may by regulations require information in addition to that mentioned in subsection (3) to be included in, or to be provided with, a penalty notice with an education option.]

F9 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 3(1A) omitted (8.4.2013) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 23 para. 5(2); S.I. 2013/453, art. 4(e)

F2 Word in s. 3(2) inserted (1.11.2004) by The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (Amendment) and Police Reform Act 2002 (Modification) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/2540), arts. 1(4), 3

F3 Words in s. 3(2) inserted (1.10.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 15(2), 60; S.I. 2012/1697, art. 2

F4 S. 3(2A) inserted (1.10.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), ss. 15(3), 60; S.I. 2012/1697, art. 2

F5 Words in s. 3(2A) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 178 (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F6 S. 3(3)(a) omitted (13.1.2010) by virtue of The Legislative Reform (Revocation of Prescribed Form of Penalty Notice for Disorderly Behaviour) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/64), arts. 1(1), 2(a)

F7 Words in s. 3(3)(f) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 397; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3

F8 S. 3(3A) inserted (8.4.2013) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 23 para. 5(3); S.I. 2013/453, art. 4(e)

F9 S. 3(4) omitted (13.1.2010) by virtue of The Legislative Reform (Revocation of Prescribed Form of Penalty Notice for Disorderly Behaviour) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/64), arts. 1(1), 2(b)

F10 S. 3(5)(6) omitted (8.4.2013) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 23 para. 5(4); S.I. 2013/453, art. 4(e)