- •Sentencing, prison, probation
- •If you have already spent time ‘on remand’
- •If you’re given more than one prison sentence
- •If your sentence is for 12 months or more
- •If your sentence is under 12 months
- •If a court fine can’t be paid
- •If a court fine isn't paid
- •Probation - what it is
- •How probation works
- •What the Probation Service does with the information it holds
- •If you’re convicted of a violent or sexual crime
- •What happens if you break the terms of your probation
- •Types of rules you must follow while on probation
- •If you have been given a community sentence
- •Types of recall arrangement
- •Fixed-term recall
- •Standard recall
- •Extended sentences
- •Offender managers - how they can support you
- •How your offender manager can help you
- •If you miss a meeting or appointment
- •If you break the rules during your probation period
- •What your offender manager must do
Sentencing, prison, probation
Being sentenced by a court - an overview
If you’re found guilty of a crime, you will be given a sentence by a court. This could be a discharge, fine, community sentence or time in prison. Find out about different types of sentences, why some crimes don’t go to court and how to appeal against a sentence.
What a sentence is
A sentence is the punishment a court thinks is necessary based on the crime you have been found guilty of. A judge (or magistrate) decides the sentence.
How sentences are worked out
A judge (or magistrate) will look at several things when deciding a sentence, including:
the type of crime and how serious it is
if you have a criminal record
your personal circumstances - for example, if you have a mental health condition
if and when you admit your guilt
See ‘How sentences are worked out’ for more information about how a court reaches a decision.
Types of sentences
There are four main types of sentence. These are:
discharges
court fines
community sentences
prison sentences
You may be ordered to do other things as part of, or in place of these sentences.
Discharges
If a court decides you are guilty, but decides not to punish you further, you are given a ‘discharge’. Discharges may be given for minor crimes - for example, being drunk and disorderly in public.
A court may give a discharge if it decides the experience of going to court is enough of a punishment.
There are two types of discharge:
an absolute discharge - no more action is taken by the court
a conditional discharge - no more action is taken unless you commit another crime within a set period of time
Court fines
Many people convicted of a crime are fined. You could be fined for:
a driving or road traffic offence - for example, speeding
minor offences of theft or criminal damage
not having a TV licence
See ‘Court fines’ to find out more about levels of fines.
You could get a community sentence instead of being sent to prison
Community sentences
Instead of being fined or sent to prison you could get a community sentence. Community sentences place ‘requirements’ on you - things you must do, or not do in the community. Requirements can include:
doing unpaid work
getting treatment for an addiction (for example drugs)
stopping you from going to a specific place or area
See ‘Community sentences - an overview’ to find out more about this type of sentence.
Prison sentences
You could get a prison sentence if your crime is so serious that a prison sentence is the only suitable type of punishment.
See ‘Types of prison sentence’ to find out more about this type of sentence.
Court orders
A judge (or magistrate) can add a further court order to your sentence - for example, a compensation order. A compensation order could include, for example, you have to pay your victim for the damage you did to their property.
When crimes don't go to court
Not all crimes go to court. Some less serious offences may be dealt with by the police or local council.
You may get a formal warning or a ‘fixed penalty’ notice (when you pay a set amount of money).
Crimes that can be dealt with without going to court include:
parking offences
travelling on public transport without a ticket
If you get into further trouble or don't pay the fixed penalty notice you could go to court.
Young people and sentencing
Some sentences are different for young people aged ten to seventeen years old. To find out more, see the ‘Types of sentences young people can get’ section.
Appealing against a sentence
If you disagree with a sentence, you can appeal against it. It’s a good idea to get advice from a legal adviser before starting the process.
Types of prison sentence
There are different types of prison sentences depending on how serious the crime committed is. Some are for a fixed length of time and others include a minimum amount of time before a person has any chance of release. Find out about the different types of sentences.
Why you could get a prison sentence
You could get a prison sentence if:
the crime you commit is so serious (for example, murder) that it’s the only suitable punishment
a court thinks the public must be protected from you