Assignment 1 Crime and its effects on society
Crime and Disorder legislation, sentences and orders
P2 – State the main sentences and orders criminal courts can impose.
Youths: The age for criminal responsibility in England is 10, at this age children are supposed to
know right from wrong and can therefore be punished for their unruly behaviour. The criminal
courts recognise that young offenders are different to adult offender. For the purpose of the law
anyone over the age of 18 who commits a criminal offence is treated as an adult offender. The
criminal courts have a range of different sentences and orders in which they issue young
people/youths, aged 10-17 depending on their crime(s).
Adults; In a criminal court, anyone the age of 18 or above is seen as an adult and their
punishment is much harsher as they should know how to behave in an appropriate manner. An
adult can also take responsibility or be blamed for their children’s behaviour, a range of
punishments are also available for that,
Pre court measures (Reprimand) – A reprimand is a verbal warning formally given by the police
to a youth offender who admits they are guilty to a first minor offence. If needed they can be
referred to a youth offending team to take part in voluntary work to help address their behaviour,
this is not always the case.
(Final Warning) – A final warning is also a formal verbal warning given by a police officer to a
child who admits they are guilty to their first or second offence. A final warning is different from a
reprimand in the way that the child is assessed to determine what is causing them to offend and
they are given a programme of activities to help them address their behaviour.
Fines – For offenders under the age of 16, the responsibility of paying the fine is given to the
parent/guardian of the offender. The fine given varies depending on the offence and the harm/
disruption caused although it is taken into consideration of the payers income. If the fine is not
paid they are now committing a new offence which can lead to an arrest and a new sentence.
(Compensation) – Compensation is when money is to be paid to the victim of the crime is they
are injured/hurt in any way from it. It can be ordered alongside other sentences, for a youth this
may be a supervision order also. Compensation can be paid in instalments and the ability to pay
is yet again, taken into consideration. Compensation is similar to a fine, if the offender fails to pay
they have committed a new crime and the same procedure applies. In some cases the costs of
bringing the case to court can be asked to be paid by the defendant, this may be in cases where
it is considered unnecessary, except that the defence have insisted on a court appearance.
Anti-social behaviour measure (ASBO) – Anyone over the age of 10 can be issued with an
anti-social behaviour order. They can be issued for any behaviour which causes harassment or
distress to one or more persons. An ASBO will last for 2 years and there will be certain
restrictions the offender will have to abide by. Some examples a youth offender can be issued an
ASBO for includes; loud music at night, spitting or swearing in pubic and vandalising or grafting.
If an ASBO is broken there are more serious consequences which the offender will be given. If
an anti-social behaviour order is breached by a young offender then it is seen as a first criminal
offence and a final warning will be issued. If the ASBO is breached three times then they should
expect to be charged.
ASBO (for adults) – An anti-social behaviour order, like youth offenders, can be given to adults
for harassing or anti-social behaviour. They will also last 2 years and if this is broken or
‘breached’ at any time this is classed as an offence and will the offender will be taken to court.
This can result in prison time up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to £5,000. Some situations where
they may be issued include; drunken disorderly behaviour in public or unsafe driving.
1
Crime and Disorder legislation, sentences and orders
P2 – State the main sentences and orders criminal courts can impose.
Youths: The age for criminal responsibility in England is 10, at this age children are supposed to
know right from wrong and can therefore be punished for their unruly behaviour. The criminal
courts recognise that young offenders are different to adult offender. For the purpose of the law
anyone over the age of 18 who commits a criminal offence is treated as an adult offender. The
criminal courts have a range of different sentences and orders in which they issue young
people/youths, aged 10-17 depending on their crime(s).
Adults; In a criminal court, anyone the age of 18 or above is seen as an adult and their
punishment is much harsher as they should know how to behave in an appropriate manner. An
adult can also take responsibility or be blamed for their children’s behaviour, a range of
punishments are also available for that,
Pre court measures (Reprimand) – A reprimand is a verbal warning formally given by the police
to a youth offender who admits they are guilty to a first minor offence. If needed they can be
referred to a youth offending team to take part in voluntary work to help address their behaviour,
this is not always the case.
(Final Warning) – A final warning is also a formal verbal warning given by a police officer to a
child who admits they are guilty to their first or second offence. A final warning is different from a
reprimand in the way that the child is assessed to determine what is causing them to offend and
they are given a programme of activities to help them address their behaviour.
Fines – For offenders under the age of 16, the responsibility of paying the fine is given to the
parent/guardian of the offender. The fine given varies depending on the offence and the harm/
disruption caused although it is taken into consideration of the payers income. If the fine is not
paid they are now committing a new offence which can lead to an arrest and a new sentence.
(Compensation) – Compensation is when money is to be paid to the victim of the crime is they
are injured/hurt in any way from it. It can be ordered alongside other sentences, for a youth this
may be a supervision order also. Compensation can be paid in instalments and the ability to pay
is yet again, taken into consideration. Compensation is similar to a fine, if the offender fails to pay
they have committed a new crime and the same procedure applies. In some cases the costs of
bringing the case to court can be asked to be paid by the defendant, this may be in cases where
it is considered unnecessary, except that the defence have insisted on a court appearance.
Anti-social behaviour measure (ASBO) – Anyone over the age of 10 can be issued with an
anti-social behaviour order. They can be issued for any behaviour which causes harassment or
distress to one or more persons. An ASBO will last for 2 years and there will be certain
restrictions the offender will have to abide by. Some examples a youth offender can be issued an
ASBO for includes; loud music at night, spitting or swearing in pubic and vandalising or grafting.
If an ASBO is broken there are more serious consequences which the offender will be given. If
an anti-social behaviour order is breached by a young offender then it is seen as a first criminal
offence and a final warning will be issued. If the ASBO is breached three times then they should
expect to be charged.
ASBO (for adults) – An anti-social behaviour order, like youth offenders, can be given to adults
for harassing or anti-social behaviour. They will also last 2 years and if this is broken or
‘breached’ at any time this is classed as an offence and will the offender will be taken to court.
This can result in prison time up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to £5,000. Some situations where
they may be issued include; drunken disorderly behaviour in public or unsafe driving.
1
