OpenLegislation

Criminal Justice Act 1982

1982 c. 48 · Enacted 28 October 1982 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 7 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 June 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 15 para. 6repealedEnvironment Act 1995 Sch. 24
Sch. 15 para. 7repealedEnvironment Act 1995 Sch. 24
s. 70repealedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 37 Pt. 9
Sch. 14 para. 60repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 28 Pt. 1
s. 32(1A)(ca)words insertedCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 Sch. 13 para. 36
Sch. 1 Pt. 1words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 11 para. 4(3)
Sch. 1 Pt. 1words substitutedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 11 para. 4(2)
An Act to make further provision as to the sentencing and treatment of offenders (including provision as to the enforcement of fines and the standardisation of fines and of certain other sums specified in enactments relating to the powers of criminal courts); to make provision for the prescribing of criteria for the placing and keeping of children in different descriptions of accommodation in community homes; to amend the law of Scotland relating to the mode of trial of certain offences and the recall of witnesses; to amend the law of England and Wales relating to the remand in custody of accused persons and to the grant of bail to persons convicted or sentenced in the Crown Court; to abolish (subject to savings) the right of a person accused in criminal proceedings under the law of England and Wales to make an unsworn statement; and for connected purposes.[28th October 1982]

E1C1Be it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part I: Treatment of Young Offenders
  2. Custody and detention of persons under 21
  3. 1General restriction on custodial sentences.
  4. 1A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  5. 1B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 1C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  7. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  8. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  9. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  10. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  11. 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  12. 10Computation of custodial sentences for young offenders.
  13. Accommodation of young offenders
  14. 11Provision of premises for young offenders etc.
  15. 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. Provisions supplementary to sections 1 to 12
  17. 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  18. 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. 15Section 15 Repealed
  20. Attendance centres
  21. 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  22. 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  23. 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  24. 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  25. Supervision orders
  26. 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  27. 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  28. Offences by person subject to care order owing to previous offence
  29. 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  30. Care orders and children in care
  31. 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  32. 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  33. 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  34. Sanctions against parents and guardians
  35. 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  36. 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  37. 28Increase of limit on amount of recognisance to be taken from parents and guardians. Repealed
  38. Part II: Partial Suspension of Sentences, Early Release, Release on Licence or Bail etc.
  39. Bail
  40. 29Power of Crown Court to grant bail pending appeal.
  41. Suspended sentences
  42. 30Prison sentence partly served and partly suspended. Repealed
  43. 31Activation of suspended sentence. Repealed
  44. Early release
  45. 32Early release of prisoners.
  46. Release on licence
  47. 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  48. Computation of sentences
  49. 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  50. Part III: Fines etc.
  51. Abolition of enhanced penalties
  52. 35Abolition of enhanced penalties on subsequent conviction of summary offences under Acts of Parliament.
  53. 36Abolition of enhanced penalties under subordinate instruments.
  54. Introduction of standard scale of fines
  55. 37The standard scale of fines for summary offences. Repealed
  56. Increase of fines
  57. 38General increase of fines for summary offences under Acts of Parliament.
  58. 39Special cases.
  59. 40General increase of fines under subordinate instruments.
  60. 41Emergency regulations. Repealed
  61. 42Orders relating to spread of pests.
  62. 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  63. 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  64. 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  65. Application of standard scale to existing enactments
  66. 46Conversion of references to amounts to references to levels on scale.
  67. 47Provisions supplementary to sections 35 to 46.
  68. Power to alter maximum fines etc.
  69. 48Power to alter sums.
  70. Shipping and oil pollution
  71. 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  72. 50Fines for offences against regulations relating to wireless telegraphy apparatus on foreign ships and aircraft. Repealed
  73. Fine enforcement
  74. 51Variation of instalments and means inquiries.
  75. 52Reciprocal execution in England and Wales and Northern Ireland of warrants of commitment for non-payment of sum adjudged to be paid by conviction.
  76. Part IV
  77. 53Power to alter certain fines and other sums.
  78. 54Revision of penalties for summary offences and of certain other sums.
  79. 55Mode of trial of, and penalties for, ceRtain offences.
  80. 56Schedules 7A to 7D to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 and Schedules 6 and 7 to this Act.
  81. Part V: Miscellaneous
  82. The Chief Inspectors of Prisons
  83. 57Her Majesty’s Chief Inspectors of Prisons.
  84. Courts-martial etc.
  85. 58Courts-martial and Standing Civilian Courts. Repealed
  86. Persons remanded in custody
  87. 59Remand in custody in absence of accused.
  88. 60Applications to Crown Court for bail by persons remanded in custody.
  89. Committal on written statements
  90. 61Legal representation in case of committal on written statements.
  91. Requirement of social inquiry reports
  92. 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  93. Deferment of sentence
  94. 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  95. Persons recommended for deportation
  96. 64Persons recommended by courts for deportation.
  97. Probation and after-care.
  98. 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  99. 66Right of appeal of probationer etc.
  100. Compensation
  101. 67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  102. Community service
  103. 68Community service orders.
  104. Imprisonment for fine defaulters etc.
  105. 69Maximum periods of imprisonment for defaulting on fines etc.
  106. ...
  107. 70Vagrancy offences. Repealed
  108. Loitering and soliciting
  109. 71Abolition of imprisonment for loitering and soliciting for purposes of prostitution.
  110. Unsworn statements
  111. 72Abolition of right of accused to make unsworn statement.
  112. Recall of witnesses
  113. 73Recall of witnesses.
  114. Interpretation
  115. 74Construction of references to “statutory maximum". Repealed
  116. Supplementary
  117. 76Financial provision.
  118. 77Minor and consequential amendments.
  119. 78Repeals.
  120. 79Transitional.
  121. 80Commencement.
  122. 81Citation and extent.
  123. Schedule 1: Offences Excluded from Section 32
  124. IOFFENCES MENTIONED IN SECTION 32(2)(a)
  125. Part II: OFFENCES MENTIONED IN SECTION 32(2)(b)
  126. MALICIOUS DAMAGE ACT 1861 (c. 97)
  127. OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ACT 1861 (c. 100)
  128. EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES ACT 1883 (c. 3)
  129. INFANT LIFE (PRESERVATION) ACT 1929 (c. 34)
  130. INFANTICIDE ACT 1938 (c. 36)
  131. ...
  132. FIREARMS ACT 1968 (c. 27)
  133. THEFT ACT 1968 (c. 60)
  134. MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1971 (c. 38)
  135. CRIMINAL DAMAGE ACT 1971 (c. 48)
  136. ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1972 (c. 20)
  137. CUSTOMS AND EXCISE MANAGEMENT ACT 1979 (c. 2)
  138. AVIATION SECURITY ACT 1982 (c. 36)
  139. DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES ACT 1986 (c. 32)
  140. PUBLIC ORDER ACT 1986
  141. CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1988 (c.33)
  142. THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1988 (c.52)
  143. CRIMINAL JUSTICE (INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION) ACT 1990 (c. 31)
  144. AVIATION AND MARITIME SECURITY ACT 1990 (c. 31)
  145. CHANNEL TUNNEL (SECURITY) ORDER 1994 No.570
  146. DRUG TRAFFICKING ACT 1994
  147. PROCEEDS OF CRIME ACT 2002
  148. SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 2003
  149. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CRIME AND VICTIMS ACT 2004
  150. SPACE INDUSTRY ACT 2018 (c. 5)
  151. IIIOFFENCES MENTIONED IN SECTION 32(2)(c)
  152. Schedule 2: Fines to remain at their present level
  153. Schedule 3: Special Increases
  154. Schedule 4: Fines imposed otherwise than on conviction
  155. Schedule 5: . . .
  156. Paragraph Repealed
  157. Schedule 6
  158. Schedule 7
  159. Schedule 8: Courts-Martial etc.
  160. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  161. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  162. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  163. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  164. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  165. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  166. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  167. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  168. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  169. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  170. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  171. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  172. Schedule 9: Amendments of Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 relating to remands in custody
  173. 1Paragraph 1
  174. 2Paragraph 2
  175. 3Paragraph 3
  176. 4Paragraph 4
  177. 5Paragraph 5
  178. 6Paragraph 6
  179. 7Paragraph 7
  180. Schedule 10: Amendments of Schedule 3 to Immigration Act 1971
  181. 1Paragraph 1
  182. 2Paragraph 2
  183. Schedule 11
  184. 1Paragraph 1
  185. 2Paragraph 2
  186. 3Paragraph 3
  187. 4Paragraph 4
  188. 5Paragraph 5
  189. 6Paragraph 6
  190. Schedule 12: Community Service Orders—England and Wales Repealed
  191. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  192. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  193. Schedule 13: Community Service Orders—Reciprocal Arrangements
  194. Part I: . . .
  195. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  196. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  197. Part II: Reciprocal Arrangements (Scotland)—Persons Residing in England and Wales or Northern Ireland
  198. 3Paragraph 3
  199. 4Paragraph 4
  200. 5Paragraph 5
  201. 6Paragraph 6
  202. Part III: Reciprocal Arrangements (Northern Ireland)—Persons Residing in England and Wales or Scotland
  203. Making an amendment of community service orders relating to persons residing in England and Wales
  204. 7Paragraph 7
  205. Making and amendment of community service orders relating to persons residing in Scotland
  206. 8Paragraph 8
  207. Community service orders relating to persons residing in England and Wales or Scotland—General
  208. 9Paragraph 9
  209. Community service orders relating to persons residing in England and Wales: interpretation
  210. 10Paragraph 10
  211. Schedule 14: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  212. ...
  213. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  214. Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (c. 60)
  215. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  216. Customs and Excise Act 1952 (c. 44)
  217. 3Paragraph 3
  218. Prison Act 1952 (c. 52)
  219. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  220. 5Paragraph 5
  221. 6Paragraph 6
  222. 7Paragraph 7
  223. 8Paragraph 8
  224. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  225. Criminal Justice Act 1961 (c. 39)
  226. 10Paragraph 10
  227. 11Paragraph 11
  228. 12Paragraph 12
  229. 13Paragraph 13
  230. 14Paragraph 14
  231. 15Paragraph 15
  232. 16Paragraph 16
  233. 17Paragraph 17
  234. Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80)
  235. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  236. 22Paragraph 22
  237. Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (c. 19)
  238. 23Paragraph 23
  239. Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
  240. 24Paragraph 24
  241. Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (c. 54)
  242. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  243. 26Paragraph 26
  244. 27Paragraph 27
  245. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  246. Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c. 40)
  247. 29Paragraph 29
  248. Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (c. 62)
  249. 30Paragraph 30
  250. 31Paragraph 31
  251. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  252. 33Paragraph 33 Repealed
  253. 34Paragraph 34
  254. Juries Act 1974 (c. 23)
  255. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  256. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53)
  257. 36Paragraph 36
  258. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  259. Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45)
  260. 38Paragraph 38
  261. 39Paragraph 39
  262. 40Paragraph 40
  263. 41Paragraph 41
  264. Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2)
  265. 42Paragraph 42
  266. 43Paragraph 43
  267. Child Care Act 1980 (c. 5)
  268. 44Paragraph 44
  269. 45Paragraph 45 Repealed
  270. 46Paragraph 46 Repealed
  271. Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)
  272. 47Paragraph 47
  273. 48Paragraph 48 Repealed
  274. 49Paragraph 49
  275. 50Paragraph 50
  276. 51Paragraph 51 Repealed
  277. 52Paragraph 52
  278. 53Paragraph 53
  279. 54Paragraph 54
  280. 55Paragraph 55
  281. 56Paragraph 56
  282. 57Paragraph 57
  283. 58Paragraph 58
  284. 59Paragraph 59
  285. Contempt of Court Act 1981 (c. 49)
  286. 60Paragraph 60
  287. Schedule 15: Minor and Consequential Amendments Scotland
  288. Trespass (Scotland) Act 1865 (c. 56)
  289. 1Paragraph 1
  290. Electric Lighting Act 1882 (c. 56)
  291. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  292. Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (c. 60)
  293. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  294. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  295. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  296. Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 (c. 38)
  297. 6Paragraph 6
  298. 7Paragraph 7
  299. Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act 1956 (c. 30)
  300. 8Paragraph 8
  301. South of Scotland Electricity Order Confirmation Act 1956 (c. xciv)
  302. 9Paragraph 9
  303. 10Paragraph 10
  304. North of Scotland Electricity Order Confirmation Act 1958 (c. ii)
  305. 11Paragraph 11
  306. 12Paragraph 12
  307. Roads (Scotland) Act 1970 (c. 20)
  308. 13Paragraph 13
  309. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  310. Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77)
  311. 15Paragraph 15
  312. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  313. Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21)
  314. 17Paragraph 17
  315. 18Paragraph 18
  316. 19Paragraph 19
  317. National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29)
  318. 20Paragraph 20
  319. 21Paragraph 21
  320. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  321. Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 45)
  322. 23Paragraph 23
  323. 24Paragraph 24
  324. 25Paragraph 25
  325. 26Paragraph 26
  326. 27Paragraph 27
  327. 28Paragraph 28
  328. 29Paragraph 29
  329. Criminal Justice (Scotland)Act 1980 (c. 62)
  330. 30Paragraph 30
  331. Schedule 16: Repeals
  332. Schedule 17: Transitional Provisions
  333. Young offenders
  334. 1Paragraph 1
  335. 2Paragraph 2
  336. 3Paragraph 3
  337. 4Paragraph 4
  338. 5Paragraph 5
  339. 6Paragraph 6
  340. 7Paragraph 7
  341. 8Paragraph 8
  342. 9Paragraph 9
  343. 10Paragraph 10
  344. 11Paragraph 11
  345. 12Paragraph 12
  346. 13Paragraph 13
  347. 14Paragraph 14
  348. 15Paragraph 15
  349. Probation
  350. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  351. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  352. Fines
  353. 18Paragraph 18