Criminal Justice Act 2003

144 Reduction in sentences for guilty pleas E+W

(1) In determining what sentence to pass on an offender who has pleaded guilty to an offence in proceedings before that or another court, a court must take into account—

(a) the stage in the proceedings for the offence at which the offender indicated his intention to plead guilty, and

(b) the circumstances in which this indication was given.

(2) In the case of [F1 an offender who—

(a) is convicted of an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under a provision mentioned in subsection (3), and

(b) is aged 18 or over when convicted,

nothing] in [F2 that provision] prevents the court, after taking into account any matter referred to in subsection (1) of this section, from imposing any sentence which is not less than 80 per cent of that specified in [F2 that provision].

[F3 (3) The provisions referred to in subsection (2) are—

• [F4 section 1(2B) or 1A(5)] of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;

• section 110(2) of the Sentencing Act;

• section 111(2) of the Sentencing Act;

• [F5 section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7)] of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

(4) In the case of [F6 an offender who—

(a) is convicted of an offence the sentence for which falls to be imposed under a provision mentioned in subsection (5), and

(b) is aged 16 or 17 when convicted,

nothing] in that provision prevents the court from imposing any sentence that it considers appropriate after taking into account any matter referred to in subsection (1) of this section.

(5) The provisions referred to in subsection (4) are—

• [F7 section 1(2B) or 1A(5)] of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953;

• [F8 section 139(6B), 139A(5B) or 139AA(7)] of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 144(2) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(2); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)

F2 Words in s. 144(2) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 26 para. 18(2)(b); S.I. 2012/2770, art. 2(f)

F3 S. 144(3)-(5) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 26 para. 18(3); S.I. 2012/2770, art. 2(f)

F4 Words in s. 144(3) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(3)(a); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)

F5 Words in s. 144(3) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(3)(b); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)

F6 Words in s. 144(4) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(4); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)

F7 Words in s. 144(5) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(5)(a); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)

F8 Words in s. 144(5) substituted (17.7.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 5 para. 12(5)(b); S.I. 2015/1463, art. 2(b)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 144 wholly in force at 4.4.2005, see s. 336(3) and S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 7 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)