PART 6Cautions

Community cautions

I1108Giving a community caution

1

An authorised person may give a community caution to a person aged 18 or over (“the offender”) in respect of an offence, other than an excluded offence, if the following requirements are met.

2

The requirements are that—

a

an authorised person or a prosecution authority decides that—

i

there is sufficient evidence to charge the offender with the offence, and

ii

a community caution should be given to the offender in respect of the offence;

b

the offender admits to having committed the offence;

c

the offender consents to being given the caution;

d

an authorised person—

i

explains the effect of the caution to the offender, and

ii

in particular, warns the offender of the effect of failure to comply with any of the conditions attached to the caution;

e

the offender signs a document which contains—

i

details of the offence,

ii

the offender’s admission to having committed the offence,

iii

the offender’s consent to being given the caution, and

iv

the conditions attached to the caution.

3

A community caution may not be given in respect of an offence committed before the coming into force of this section.

4

The power to give a community caution under subsection (1) is also subject to regulations under section 117 (restrictions on multiple use of cautions).