OpenLegislation

Criminal Justice Act 1982 in Wales

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 substitutedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 11 para. 4(2)
Sch. 1 Pt. 1words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 11 para. 4(3)

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:—

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s. 70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1991 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

Extent

E1

Act extends to England and Wales only but for exceptions to this see s. 81(2)-(13)

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 Repealed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 Repealed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 Repealed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 Repealed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 Repealed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 Repealed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